After three round rubbing matches, the Super Falcons of Nigeria and the Banyana Banyana of South Africa will square off for a Paris 2024 Olympic ticket.
The long-standing multidimensional rivalry between South Africa and Nigeria will be reignited once again as Banyana Banyana and the Super Falcons will face off for an Olympics berth next month. .
The fourth and final round of the Paris qualifying series has been scheduled to take place on April 5, and April 9, 2024 with the first leg to be held at the MKO Abiola stadium, Abuja while a Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa will host the reverse fixture.
The encounter at Nigeria capital’s magnificent facility will kick off at 4pm, with Algerian referee Ghada Mehat as referee.
Mehat’s compatriots Asma Feriel Ouahab and Lamia Atman will be in the roles of assistant referee 1 and fourth official respectively, while Mariem Cheddad from Mauritania will serve as assistant referee 2.
Senegalese Fadouma Dia, a former FIFA referee, will be referee assessor while Ghanaian Chrstine Ziga will serve as commissioner.
For the return leg scheduled for South Africa (venue to be decided) on Tuesday, 9th April, the Confederation of African Football has appointed Tunisian official Dorsaf Ganouati as referee.
She will be assisted by compatriots Houda Afine (assistant referee 1) and Emna Ajbouni (fourth official) with Egyptian Yara Atef Abdelfattah as assistant referee 2.
Agar Mezing from Cameroon will be the referee assessor while Cindy Dludlu from eSwatini will be commissioner.
The winner over two legs in early April will join 15 other senior women teams from across the globe for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament starting in Paris on 16th July.
Nigeria vs South Africa have in the recent times become exciting match ups owing to Banyana Banyana upgraded form, and recent results against their West African opponents, the Super Falcons of Nigeria.
Watch the preview via link below:
Video Nigeria vs South Africa Preview
https://youtu.be/_0xvdxhMBWo
Head-To-Head
Both Nigeria and South Africa have met nine times since 2010. The Super Falcons and Banyana Banyana have won three contests each and have drawn three.
In July 2022, during the Women’s African Cup of Nations held in Morocco, South Africa edge Nigeria 2-1 in the preliminary stage.
Banyana Banyana also defeated the Super Falcons to clinch the inaugural Aisha Buhari cup in September 2021.
Invited Players For Both Teams
This encounter is crucial and the team managers for both the Super Falcons and Banyana Banyana understand the importance of these final round of the Paris 2024 Olympic qualifying series, hence, would put ahead their best legs in the all important match.
Barring injury and other unforeseen circumstances, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa are expected to file out in 4-4-2 tactical formation against the Super Falcons of Nigeria come Friday 5th of April 2024 at the MKO Abiola stadium in Abuja.
Thembi Kgatlana and Jermaine Seoposenwe will spare head the Banyana Banyana attack
In the midfield Hildah Magaia, Linda Motlhalo, hopefully Refiloe Jane would have fully recovers, Gabriel Salgado, Nthabiseng Majiya, and Noxolo Cesane.
The quadret of Karabo Dhlamini, Motalj, Bongeka Gamede, Lebohang Ramalepand and believing that Bambanani Mbane would have also fully recovered from injury. Kaylin Swart should be in goal for the Banyana Banyana.
The hosts of the first leg, the Super Falcons of Nigeria are expected to line up against the opponents in 4-3-3 tactical formation.
The following players have been invited by coach Randy Waldrum for the double header qualifiers:
Goalkeepers - Chiamaka Nnadozie, Tochukwu Oluehi, Linda Jiwuaku
Defenders - Osinachi Ohale, Ashleigh Plumptre, Shukurat Oladipo, Michelle Alozie, Nicole Payne, Chidinma Okeke
Midfielders - Abiodun Deborah, Halimatu Ayinde, Christy Ucheibe, Jennifer Echegini, Rasheedat Ajibade, Tony Payne
Forwards - Omorinsola Babajide, Esther Okoronkwo, Ifeoma Onumonu, Asisat Oshoala, Uchenna Kanu, Gift Monday, and Chiwendu Ihezuo.
