Ahead of the showdown between the Super Falcons of Nigeria and Banyana Banyana of South Africa in Pretoria, the Nigerian contingent departed Lagos on Sunday night, and will arrive in South Africa in the early hours of Monday.
Players of the nine-time African champions will do a one-hour road trip to Pretoria upon arrival and are scheduled to have their official training at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium by match time on Monday.
The Super Falcons team won the first leg by a lone goal last weekend in Abuja, courtesy of Ajibade's strike from the penalty spot. They'll be looking to earn a result in Pretoria when the ‘Mother-of-all-battles' as described by the South African coach Desiree Ellis takes centre stage on the evening of April 9.
Only two teams will represent the continent at the Olympic Games scheduled for Paris this summer in the women's football event, and as it stands, Nigeria and Morocco have the advantage following victories with the North Africans taking a one-goal advantage back to their home ground against Zambia.
Ajibade asks Nigerians to believe
The captain of the side Rasheedat Ajibade has made a rallying call to the team's supporters, asking them to believe in the ability of the Randy Waldrum-led side. She beckoned on the fabs to have the confidence that they will be one of Africa's representatives at the games by picking the available ticket.
Speaking after the team's training on Sunday morning in Abuja, the Atletico Madrid ace said that the players will be propelled to victory knowing that the faith of over 200 million Nigerians in them is unwavering.
“We are not under any illusions. It is going to be a big and tough fight. For us, we have 90 minutes standing between us and the long-elusive ticket to the Olympics and we will give it our all.
“We want Nigerians to believe in the Super Falcons. The players are motivated by the keen desire to play in the Olympics. Personally, I have played at every tournament you can think of, except the Olympics. The time to do it is now.”
Ajibade added: “At the end of the day, the grass will be green and it will be 11 players against 11 players. We are ready.”
Super Falcons are desperate for the Olympic ticket
Nigeria had a good chance of killing off the game against the South Africans with Chinwendu Ihezuo, Jennifer Echegini and Esther Okoronkwo all missing scoring opportunities. Thankfully, a world-class Chiamaka Nnadozie was also on hand to foil any attack put forward by the visitors. Despite her heroics and the team's one-goal advantage, the Paris FC goalkeeper said the Super Falcons will play their hearts out in Pretoria.
“The Super Falcons are used to big battles. This one will not be any different. Australia were playing in their home ground at the World Cup but we defeated them.”
Also speaking ahead of the clash between the two African giants were attacking midfielders Toni Payne and Jennifer Echegini.
“We had a great game on Friday and we didn't allow them to create too many chances but hopefully we can raise our game the more in Pretoria and ensure that we get the result,” said the Sevilla FC attacker.
The Italian-based midfielder with Juventus also shared her thoughts by insisting that goals will win you games.
“Friday's game was good, we played well but I think we need to play well and score more goals on their ground but all we are focused on is just to finish the job on Tuesday.
“We want to pick up the ticket on Tuesday and we want it really
bad. We trust ourselves that we can do it, we trust the coach,
trust the staff to deliver.”
CAF goes North with officials
The Confederation of African Football again picked North African referees for the return leg in Pretoria.
Tunisia's Dorsaf Ganouati will be the centre referee while her compatriots Houda Afine and Emna Ajbouni will serve as first assistant and fourth official respectively. Yara Atef Said Abdelfattah of Egypt will be the second assistant referee.
The referee assessor Agar Mezing is Cameroonian while Cindy Dludlu
from Eswatini will serve as the match commissioner.
