Fierce rivals Cameroon and Nigeria battled to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their 2024 Olympic Games third-round qualifying fixture at the Stade de la Reunification, Douala, on Friday night.
Both teams had chances in the first half but failed to break the deadlock.
Sevilla winger, Toni Payne made a brilliant run into the opposition box in the 28th minute but couldn’t set up Asisat Oshoala.
Oshoala wasted a good chance three minutes later.
Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie made two brilliant saves to deny the hosts in the closing stages of the first half.
Nigeria’s head coach, Randy Waldrum, made two changes after the break in a bid to take control of the game.
Jennifer Echegini and Esther Okoronkwo came in for Halimat Ayinde and Toni Payne.
Substitute Echegini had the ball in the net in the 54th minute, but it was ruled out for offside.
The visitors came close again 10 minutes later, but Oshoala’s shot from the edge of the box was easily saved by the Cameroon goalkeeper.
Nigeria made another double substitution in the 71st minute.
Rofiat Imuran and Rinsola Babajide took the place of Michelle Alozie and Asisat Oshoala.
The scoreline remained the same despite a spirited effort by both teams to hit the target.
The two teams will clash again in the reverse fixture at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, on Monday.
