By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Head coach of South Africa senior women’s football team, Banyana Banyana, Desiree Ellis is wary of the threats the Super Falcons can pose in a highly anticipated match as tomorrow’s Paris Olympics women’s football tournament CAF qualifiers final round first leg tie slated for Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja by 5pm.
Speaking exclusively to Prompt News at the South Africa’s camp at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja on Thursday, Ellis said she envisages a tough encounter between.the hosts, Nigeria and South Africa, pointing out that it will be foolhardy for anyone to think it will be an easy match when both teams file out for the crucial match in Abuja tomorrow.
Said she: “We are aware of the danger the Super Falcons pose to opponents with the array of star players they parade hence it will be unwise for us to underrate them. It is going to be a 50-50 chance and the side that is more hungrier will carry the day”.
Reminded that the South African team has in the recent time defeated Nigeria twice in Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament in Lagos in 2021 and 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco and may yet pose a threat to Nigeria’s ambition to qualify for the Olympic Games after several years of absence, Ellis said past results do not matter so much in football.
“Anyone who thinks because South Africa beat Nigeria in Aisha Buhari Cup and WAFCON in Morocco then it is given that we have Nigeria’s numbers is not sincere about the dynamics of the game of football makes it unpredictable. For this reason, we will approach the match with all seriousness because if you make a mistake you will be punished”, the South African gaffer said. READ ALSO:
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Ellis, a four-time CAF Women’s Coach of the Year however indicated that South Africa is hungry to play in the 2024 Paris Olympics as the players are determined to avoid the repeat of missing out of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic, adding that they will do their best to get a favourable result in Nigeria before considering what happens next Tuesday in Pretoria.
