Afrigather An epic showdown awaits when the continent’s most profitable crew, Nigeria’s Tremendous Falcons, battle with reigning African champions South Africa within the remaining qualifying decider for the 2024 Paris Olympic Video games, Soccernet.ng studies.
Nigeria received the primary of the two-legged playoff on Friday on the MKO Abiola Nationwide Stadium in Abuja by the slimmest of margins.
Rasheedat Ajibade netted a first-half penalty handy the Tremendous Falcons a 1-0 victory and their first win over the Banyana Banyana in six years.
South Africa would really feel they need to have been awarded a spot-kick of their very own in that encounter, however ultimately, they absolutely deserved to undergo their first loss since a 3-4 defeat to Malawi within the COSAFA Girls’s Cup in October.
Nigeria, however, prolonged their unbeaten run in a 90-minute match to 14 video games with the win in Abuja.
The Tremendous Falcons stood toe to toe with Canada, Republic of Eire, Australia, England, and Cameroon in that spectacular streak and can fancy their possibilities towards the South Africans.
Their activity is obvious: keep away from defeat in Pretoria and safe your spot at Paris 2024.
For South Africa, nonetheless, it’s not an not possible mission.
They want not less than a 1-0 win to drive the fixture right into a penalty shootout or any two-goal margin victory to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Video games.
Head-to-head
Nigeria’s win within the first leg is the Tremendous Falcons’s seventh win in 13 conferences with South Africa for the reason that flip of the millennium.
The Banyana Banyana boast 4 victories whereas the opposite two encounters led to a draw.
Apparently, anybody anticipating dwelling benefit to work in South Africa’s favour on Tuesday could also be disheartened that the Tremendous Falcons have by no means misplaced to Banyana Banyana on South African soil.
The Falcons claimed a win and a draw of their two earlier conferences in South Africa.
Legendary ahead Perpetual Nkwocha netted a brace as Nigeria secured a 2-1 win over South Africa on the Sinaba Stadium within the group stage of the 2010 WAFCON.
Each groups settled for a 1-1 attract a pleasant encounter performed contained in the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Phokeng two years later.
Group information
Tremendous Falcons star woman Asisat Oshoala was not chosen for the primary match in Abuja after arriving at camp a day earlier than the essential playoff.
She might be in competition to start out in Pretoria as her expertise and high quality might make a distinction towards the South Africans.
Anybody of Uchenna Kanu or Chinwendu Ihezuo might drop to the bench for Oshoala. Nonetheless, it could be a shock if it could be the latter to drop following her glorious displaying on Friday.
Benfica ace Christy Ucheibe, historically a midfielder, excelled in a centre-back pairing with Osinachi Ohale, and the 2 may very well be deployed once more to counter the Banyana’s assault anticipated to be spearheaded by the difficult Thembi Kgatlana.
The ever-dynamic Deborah Abiodun picked up a knock that pressured her out within the second half of the primary leg, however coach Randy Waldrum expects the Pittsburgh Panther midfielder to be prepared for the battle forward.
Similar to for the Falcons, there are not any reported accidents within the camp of the South Africans.
Sinoxolo Cesane, who couldn’t journey with the Banyana Banyana to Nigeria, is the one change within the squad forward of the sport tomorrow.
Banyana Banyana defender Lebohang Ramalepe will get her one centesimal cap ought to she make an look.
What are they saying?
South Africa head coach Desiree Ellis:
“We’ve to take a look at the footage to see how we will rectify issues and the way we may be higher. We have to rating, however we must be conscious to not concede and ensure that we rating first to get the sport again on at even.
“It’s now as much as us to take the sport to them and ensure that we rating and likewise ensure that we’re settled in defence and we don’t concede.
“They don’t have to come back. They’ll sit again, however the onus is on us. We’re going again to acquainted environment, and we hope to take the sport to them.”
Nigeria head coach Randy Waldrum:
“As for what I really feel concerning the subsequent leg, there isn’t any distinction if we might have received by two (objectives) as an alternative of 1.
“I nonetheless really feel like we’ve to go and get a consequence there.
“We don’t need to go and sit again and attempt to defend and maintain on to this victory.
“I feel we nonetheless need to present that we’re the most effective crew in Africa and we’re the higher crew. I assumed we confirmed that tonight, and we’ll present it once more subsequent week.”
Predicted lineup
South Africa beginning eleven (4-2-3-1):
Swart; Ramalepe, Mbane, Matlou, Dhlamini; Moodaly, Gamede; Magaia, Seoposenwe, Motlhalo; Kgatlana.
Nigeria beginning eleven (4-2-3-1):
Nnadozie; Alozie, Ucheibe, Ohale, Okeke; Abiodun, Ayinde; Ihezuo, Payne, Ajibade; Oshoala.
Match particulars
Competitors: CAF Paris 2024 Girls’s Olympic Qualifier
Match: South Africa vs Nigeria
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Date: Tuesday, 9 April 2024
Kickoff time: 6:30 pm (Nigerian time)
NB: Who will qualify for the 2024 Olympic Video games in Paris: Nigeria or South Africa? Depart your feedback beneath, in addition to your predictions.
