Banyana Banyana of South Africa head coach, Desire Ellis, has said that her side must score first in the return leg of the 2024 Olympic Games qualifier against the Super Falcons of Nigeria.
The two teams meet in the second leg of the 2024 CAF Women’s Olympic qualifiers at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, with Nigeria holding a slim advantage
Ellis’ side lost 1-0 to the Super Falcons in the first leg last Friday, thanks to first-half penalty converted by Atletico Madrid midfielder Rasheedat Ajibade.
The African champions vowed to overturn the deficit to achieve their objective of qualifying for Paris 2024.
The 61-year-old gaffer believed the Super Falcons will not be an easy hurdle, but she maintained that netting an early goal would be key for South Africa success.
Speaking to Safa.net, Ellis said, “We know we are better than what we showed in Nigeria. We can do way better than that, and I think the second half showed how well we can play. It is a match we have to win.
“We have to put everything into it to make sure that we get the goal early to be able to kickstart from there. That will bring us on equal footing after we lost the first game 1-0 in Abuja. We know it won’t be easy, Nigeria got the one goal advantage and we have to prepare for every eventuality.”
The encounter is slated for the Lotfus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria.
Kick-off today is 7.30 pm South African time, which is 6.30 pm Nigeria time.
