The Super Falcons of Nigeria will face Banyana Banyana of South Africa today as both teams battle for a spot in the women’s football event at the 2024 Olympic Games ticket in Paris.
The Two teams who are arguably Africa’s best in women’s football will 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 leg of the matches will take place on Friday (today) at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja before the return leg on Tuesday, April 9 in Pretoria, South Africa.
The Super Falcons are looking to make a return to the Olympics after a 16-year absence, featuring last 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.
Captain of the Super Falcons, Rasheedat Ajibade speaking ahead of the game 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,”. “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.”
SuperFalcons and Paris FC Goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie also called on fans 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.
Ashleigh Plumptre and Tosin Demehin are out of the match due to injury. Super Falcons Coach, Randy Waldrum revealed that both players are valuable members of the team, he also added that he had quality backup 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 defense 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.”
South African defender, Lebohang Ramalepe said “Remember, both of us missed the last Olympics, so this game is a do-or-die kind of game.” The Match will Kick off by 5 pm Nigerian time at the Moshood Abiola stadium in Abuja.
