South Africa vs Nigeria: Super Falcons Unfazed by 50,000 Banyana Fans Says Payne

• Toni Payne is confident Nigeria will pick the Olympics ticket against South Africa
• Over 50,000 home fans are expected to watch the crunch Olympic qualifiers
• South Africa must overturn a 1-0 deficit they suffered after their loss in Abuja

Super Falcons midfielder Toni Payne says Nigeria will not be fazed by the large turnout of Banyana Banyana supporters expected in the reverse Olympic qualifiers in South Africa.

Over 50,000 South African supporters are expected to troop into the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria for Tuesday’s Paris 2024 Olympic qualifiers against Nigeria.

According to Complete Sports, Payne, who is part of Nigeria’s team that landed in Pretoria, venue of the second leg, is confident the Super Falcons will come out victorious as she claims the team has faced tougher crowds.

2 things Super Eagles will gain if they defeat Mali in friendly game

Football

“I think it’s something to keep in mind obviously when you are away and when you have the crowd against you, it’s something difficult but we’ve come against worst [worse] odds we are ready to battle them.”

The Super Falcons will go into the clash with a 1-0 advantage after a Rashidat Ajibade penalty separated both teams in the first leg in Abuja.

Super Falcons to break jinx

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s sport minister, John Enoh, has tasked the Super Falcons to defeat their South African counterparts in the second leg of their Olympic qualifiers on Tuesday in Pretoria, Punch reports.

Enoh stated that after missing out on the 2012, 2016, and 2020 Olympic Games, it was time for Nigeria’s women’s senior national team to reclaim their place on the international stage.

The Super Falcons, who have not qualified for women football event of the Olympics in 16 years, must need to avoid defeat against Banyana Banyana in Tuesday’s game in Pretoria.

Kenneth Omeruo blames poor finishing for Super Eagles loss to Mali

Football

Super Falcons star impresses Waldrum

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Super Falcons coach, Randy Waldrum, has singled out Mexican-based striker Chinwendu Ihezuo as the Super Falcons star who impressed him the most in the victory against South Africa.

The Pachuca Femenil started the game ahead of Asisat Oshoala and won the penalty, which earned Nigeria the win against their arch-rivals.

Rasheedat Ajibade scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot in the first half.