Banyana Banyana head coach, Desiree Ellis has warned her players they must be ready for a difficult test when they visit Nigeria, reports Completesports.com.
South Africa and Nigeria will battle for a place in the women’s football event at the 2024 Olympic Games next month.
The Super Falcons will host the first leg at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Friday, April 5.
The second leg will hold at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria four days later.
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“I’m happy we have these players back. That warms my heart and is encouraging because those are our more experienced players and their experience is going to help in this situation,” Ellis said ahead of the game.
“It might be hostile and we know how passionate the fans of Nigeria are — we need that experience to get over this hurdle.
“It will be a tough match because they haven’t been in the Olympics since 2008 and their team has changed a bit since we last played them (at the 2022 WAFCON).
“They’re still one of the best teams on the continent. They’ve been serial winners (Nigeria have won 11 of 14 WAFCON titles) and have been consistent over the past few years. We’re in the same bracket but we’ve got to be consistent.”
2 Comments
This coach is talking too much. Is the abuja stadium a war zone? At the end of the day it’s 11v11 on the field of play. If she’s talking about fans being hostile, it happens even at anfield and the kumasi sports stadium and as professional footballers, should be able to deal with it. Her focus should be on how to beat the falcons on the field and not external hostilities which is allowed in football if it’s not violent.
Na panic attack dey worry am. You know when person no get power, na mouth e SABI make. Too loquacious. Maybe na her psychological advantage be that. To wear down opponents in the media