Nigeria vs South Africa:
The April showdown in Abuja between Nigeria and South Africa may actually determine if Super Falcons will qualify for the Olympics or not. If Nigeria team wins by a slim 1 - 0, draw or loose the game in Abuja, it's over! Then, it means we have played into the hands of Banyana Banyana and the return game of ninth in Pretoria will not be funny at all.
Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has consistently read how the Nigeria ladies play and knows how to nip the game off the bud in Abuja. Remember the Aisha Burhari Cup and the big upset at the Anthony Omobolaji stadium Lagos 2021. Then the group stage game in Morocco 2022, in both occasions Banyana Banyana piped Super Falcons and ran away with victory.
April Fool Game Plan
This is the reason Randy Waldrum and the Nigeria girls should sell a dummy to them, an April fool gimmick of some sought.
Waldrum should be able to come up with some kind of unpredictable game plan that will sweep the South African ladies off the pitch. He must be able to twit positions and break down the Banyana Banyana weak points. Scoring and scoring more goals is crucial for Super Falcons in this game.
Do or Die Affair
Desiree Ellis has warned the Super Falcons that it will be ‘do or die’ in the final round of the 2024 Olympics qualifier. She doesn't have to say. We all know it!
Therefore, NFF must prepare and find a way to motivate the team. Nigerian Supporters club must find away to mobilize fans and get everywhere to wear green/ white Nigeria colour.
South Africa and Nigeria, who both failed to qualify for the women’s football event at the last edition of the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan will clash for a place at this summer games in Paris after they both came through their respective third-round qualifiers.
The reigning African champions saw off Tanzania 4-0 on aggregate to stay in the race for one of two African slots in the women’s football event at the Olympics, while Nigeria needed a 15th-minute Esther Okoronkwo winner in the second leg to edge Cameroon in a turgid 180-minute battle over two legs.
The Fixture
The first leg of the fixture which may determine one of Africa’s two flagbearers at this year’s Women’s Olympic Football event in France, will be played on Friday April 5, 2024. By 5:00pm Abuja time and 6:00pm South African time
The return leg will be on Tuesday, April 9, at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. The encounter will commence at 7.30 pm Pretoria time (6.30 pm Nigeria time).
