After a long wait, the Super Falcons and Banyana Banyana will face off on Friday (today) as both countries battle for a spot in the women’s football event at the 2024 Olympic Games ticket in Paris.
Nigeria and South Africa, unarguably the two best women’s football squads in Africa, clash in a two-legged affair as they battle for one of the two tickets from Africa for the Paris 2024 Olympics women’s football event.
The first of two matches will take place Friday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, followed by the second contest Tuesday, April 9 in Pretoria, South Africa.
While Nigeria is looking to make a return to the Olympics after a 16-year absence, having last featured in the women’s football event at the Olympics in Beijing 2008, the South Africans are eager to put the 2020 disappointment behind them after failing to qualify for the event in Tokyo.
With so much to play for, today’s clash is set to be one of the most mouth-watering clashes in Africa’s women’s football.
Speaking ahead of the game, Falcons captain, Rasheedat Ajibade, said the team was determined to put an end to the long wait.
“From the time we played Ethiopia, we have been committed to seeing these qualification series through,” Ajibade said.
“Our objective has always been to win the slot for the Olympics. Most of us in the team are yet to play at the Olympics and this is a big issue for us. We want to be there in Paris.
“There are a couple of issues the Super Falcons have to sort out with Banyana Banyana. However, that is not the motivation this time. The motivation is qualifying for the Olympics.”
Also speaking ahead of the clash, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie called on fans to storm the stadium to support the Falcons.
“We want our people to come to the stadium and support us. The Super Falcons do not fear any team. With their support, we will play with total confidence and overcome,” she said.
Randy Waldrum will be without the services of injured duo Ashleigh Plumptre and Tosin Demehin for the encounter in Abuja.
Though the American tactician admitted that both players were valuable members of the team, he added that he had quality back up players to get the job done.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those two players, they are both valued and important players to us. They are two mainstays in defence and it is a big loss not to have those two.
“My first thought and concern is getting them healthy and ensuring they are going to be okay but I think as a coach you must always have a plan B and we’ve been working on those plans. Think we have players who are ready to step in and do the job for us. I think I have confidence in the depth of the squad and I believe they can come in and do the job for us.”
Banyana arrived Abuja on Sunday to acclimatise to the country’s weather conditions, a testament to the significance of the game.
The African champions have been vocal since finding out they will be playing the Falcons and some members of the team have tagged the encounter a do-or-die affair.
“Remember, both of us missed the last Olympics, so this game is a do or die kind of game,” defender Lebohang Ramalepe said.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
