Nigeria’s Super Falcons have arrived in South Africa ahead of their all-important clash with Banyana Banyana on Tuesday.
The team arrived in Pretoria in the early hours of Monday morning and have already settled at their accommodation at the Maslow Time Square Hotel in Pretoria.
Last Friday at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Rasheedat Ajibade’s penalty in the 42nd minute gave Nigeria a slim one-goal advantage going into the second leg.
In the last three games between the two sides, South Africa have defeated Nigeria twice – 2-1 at the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations in Morocco in 2021 and the final of the Aisha Buhari Cup (4-2) while the Super Falcons got one over Banyana Banyana last week.
Ajibade wants Olympics action for Super Falcons
Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade told NFF Media that Nigerians should get behind the team and trust them to deliver the ticket to the Olympics.
“We are not under any illusions. It is going to be a big and tough fight. For us, we have ninety minutes standing between us and the long-elusive ticket to the Olympics and we will give it our all,” the Atletico Madrid feminine star said.
“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,” she added.
Super Falcons safehands Nnadozie issues war cry
While Ajibade wants to be at the Olympics, first-choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie also said the team won’t be fazed by the 51,000 capacity crowd expected at the game as they are used to huge crowds.
“The Super Falcons are used to big battles. This one will not be any different,” Nnadozie stated.
“Australia were playing in their home ground at the World Cup but we defeated them.”
Nigeria will welcome back Bay FC striker Asisat Oshoala who missed the first leg but it is left to see if Randy Waldrum will start her or continue with Chinwendu Ihezuo who was brilliant in the first leg.
Super Falcons vs South Africa H2H – Nigeria leads Banyana
The Super Falcons have never lost to Banyana Banyana in South Africa and will look to consolidate on that with an eye on the ticket for the Women’s football event at the Paris Olympics this summer.
Even though in recent times South Africa have had an edge over Nigeria, in total, the two sides have met 24 times in all competitions.
The Super Falcons have the edge with 15 wins, South Africa have four wins while there have been five drawn games between them.
The Super Falcons will have a feel of the Loftus Versfeld Stadium, venue for the second leg clash, by 6.30pm Nigeria time on Monday.
Banyana Banyana hosts the Super Falcons in the second leg of the Olympics qualifier at the same stadium by 6.30 West Africa time on Tuesday.
The winner of the clash will join the winner of the Morocco and Zambia game as Africa’s representatives in the Women’s football event at the Olympics in Paris later this year.
