South Africa Coach Desiree Ellis wants a good outcome when her team plays against Nigeria in what she sees as a 'difficult battle' in the last round of matches for the women's football tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The Super Falcons, who have won the African championship nine times, will host the current continental champions in Abuja today, with the return match in Pretoria four days later.
South Africa defeated the Super Falcons on the way to winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in 2022. Now, the teams meet again for a chance to go to Paris, and Ellis expects a challenging game but aims for a good outcome in Abuja.
Ellis said, “It’s like you are in the last round of a boxing match, a 12-round fight, where the winner succeeds and the loser goes home.”
“Nigeria are still one of the best teams on the continent. We know how big the game is. We don’t need to motivate the players, but we are excited. We need to get a good outcome to relieve the pressure, coming home in the second leg.”
Banyana are hoping to qualify for the Games for the third time, after appearing in 2012 and 2016, while the Falcons are seeking a return to the Olympics for the first time since 2008.
“Having missed out on the Olympics in 2020, won the Wafcon and gone to the last 16 of the World Cup, this is one of the boxes as a group we haven’t ticked,” Ellis added.
Noko Matlou, 38, a key player for Banyana Banyana, has promised to give her best to ensure she attends the Olympics in Paris, saying, “It would be my last Olympics if we qualify, so it’s very important that I give my all to make sure we secure our spot there (in Paris).”
Matlou was part of the Banyana squads in their previous appearances at the Games in London (2012) and Rio (2016).
“This encounter against Nigeria is very important. It’s also very important for us to qualify for the Olympics since we missed out on the last edition,” the 2008 CAF Women’s Footballer of the Year said.
Matlou said they are trying by all means to make the younger generation in the squad understand the significance of the clash against Nigeria.
“As experienced players, we are working very hard in making sure we drive the message to the youngsters that this game is crucial. We are stressing that they must learn as much as they can from us,” Matlou said.
Meanwhile, midfielder Amogelang Motau added that the team has adapted to Nigerian conditions saying, “We’ve been in Nigeria for several days now. The spirit in camp is very high. We’ve acclimatised and we are used to the weather.”
The winners of the tie will take the last spot in Group C in Paris, alongside Spain, Japan and Brazil. The Olympics will take place in Paris from July 26 to August 11.
