By Oluwashina Okeleji BBC Sport, Nigeria

Nigeria's Perpetua Nkwocha in action against South Africa

Nigeria's Super Falcons have claimed a spot at the women's football tournament at the Athens Olympics following a 1-0 win over South Africa in Abuja.

The Super Falcons win the tie 3-2 on aggregate, after the two sides drew 2-2 in Pretoria two weeks ago.

Tuesday's match finally took place after two postponements which were caused by illness to South Africa's players.

Vera Okolo ended Banyana Banyana's dreams of Athens with the winner in the 69th minute.

The diminutive striker broke free down the left and cut into the penalty area before side-footing the ball into the South African net.

It was no more than the Super Falcons deserved after they missed several chances to take a lead in the first-half, with Okolo, Perpetua Nkwocha, and Rita Nwadike all missing scoring opportunities.

Banyana Banyana's cause was not helped when assistant coach Bald Williams was given his marching orders by referee Aisatou Keita after a vociferous protest against Nigeria's conduct.

I wouldn't like to comment on the officiating Greg Mashilo, Banyana Banyana coach

And things got worse for South Africa in the 63rd minute when Martha Malaku was also sent off for tripping a goal-bound Stella Mbachu.

After the match Nigeria coach Ismaila Mabo expressed his happiness with the win and praised the fast-improving South Africans.

"I knew it wasn't going to be an easy game for my girls but in the end we achieved what we set out to do," he said.

"We should have won 4-0 but the South Africans have improved over the years."

His opposite number Greg Mashilo appeared unhappy with the referee's performance.

"I wouldn't like to comment on the officiating but I think Nigeria should know that they were lucky to have won today," he said.

"The fact that we had so many problems before this game didn't help my players but I'm not totally disappointed by their performance."

Nigeria's female team will be at their second consecutive Olympics and are the only African side to play at the tournament since women's football was introduced at the Atlanta games in 1996.