Reigning African champions, Bafana Bafana of South Africa have declared that the first leg of the African final qualifying fixture for this year’s Women’s Olympic Football Tournament against the Super Falcons on Friday at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja is a do-or-die affair.
The two teams, arguably the best women’s football squads on the African continent, are at each other’s jugular for one of the two tickets from Africa for the Paris 2024 Olympics women’s football.
Some of the Bayana Bayana players who spoke yesterday exuded confidence as they fancied their chances ahead of the potentially explosive clash.
“The coming game is going to be very tough. Remember both of us missed the last Olympics. So, it is going to be do-or-die affair. We are ready because we know how important this is. We just have to go there and give our best.
“The next four years some of the senior players are not going to be there. So they know how important it is to win this match. If we win, we go to the Olympics, if we don’t we go home and that is not what we want,” said Lebohang Ramalepe
On her part, Nomvula Kgoale said “All the players are happy. We are trying to adjust to the weather while waiting for a couple of other players so that it will be a full squad.
“It is extremely important to be mentally tough. We know Nigeria are so tough. They have won the AWCON so many times and have done so well at the World Cup much as we have done so well. So, we know that last time we beat them so they will be looking for revenge so it will be really really tough game here and at home. But mentally, physically, emotionally, we are ready to go.”
Mamelodi Sundowns star, Nonhlanhla Mthandi also said Bayana Bayana will go back with a win over the Super Falcons.
“It is very tough. I am ready for the challenge. I believe in the team and I believe in myself. Hopefully we would go back with a win,” she said.
Meanwhile, the number of players in Super Falcons camp in Abuja had increased to 18 at the time of press.
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