Olympics Qualifier: Banyana Banyana Coach Desiree Ellis Fires Warning to Nigeria’s Super Falcons

Olympics Qualifier: Banyana Banyana Coach Desiree Ellis Fires Warning to Nigeria’s Super Falcons

Babajide Orevba
updated at February 29, 2024 at 8:50 AM
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  • Nigeria vs South Africa's forthcoming Olympic qualifier is already gathering momentum
  • Banyana Banyana coach, Desiree Ellis, has a message for the talented Super Falcons side
  • April 1 is set for the first leg in Abuja, with the reverse fixture to be played eight days later

The head coach of the South African female national team, Desiree Ellis, has branded the final phase of the Olympic qualifier against Nigeria as a 'do-or-die'.

Nigeria and South Africa will go head-to-head for a sole ticket to the summer Olympic games to be held in Paris from July 26 to August 11.

Both countries failed to qualify for the last edition of the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

Desiree Ellis, South Africa, Olympics, Banyana Banyana, Nigeria
Desiree Ellis is speaking ahead of Nigeria vs South Africa's Olympic qualifier. Photo Credit: Mark Metcalfe.
Source: Getty Images

Now, one of them will be at the games after they both came through their respective third-round qualifiers.

Reigning African queens South Africa edged out Tanzania 4-0 on aggregate, while Nigeria managed a 1-0 win over Cameroon in a turgid 180-minute battle over two legs.

As they set up a clash with Nigeria, Ellis said, as per Punch:

“It will be do-or-die (vs Nigeria). We know the game against Nigeria will not be easy, but we have shown that we can play the best.
Having our best players back will also help a lot because when it comes to those tough matches, you need players with experience, and you need to mix right with the youth and experience."

The Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja will host the first leg of the clash on April 1, while the reverse fixture is billed for South Africa eight days later, with the overall winners qualifying for the Olympics.

How Banyana Banyana celebrated win over Tanzania

Sports Brief earlier reported that South Africa's ladies have the right moves on and off the pitch.

Banyana Banyana booked a date with the Super Falcons with a 4-0 aggregate win over Tanzania at Mbombela Stadium.

Africa is only granted two places in Paris 2024's 12-team women's football tournament and Banyana will need to summon more of their signing and dancing spirit to get over the final hurdle.

Authors
Babajide Orevba photo
Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
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