April 5 is the day of the first leg of the fourth and final round of the CAF Women's Paris Olympic Qualification, with Nigeria hosting South Africa at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, the latest match to be played at one of Africa's biggest tournaments. A large-scale clash takes place in the battle. Women's soccer rivalry.
As we head into this showdown, we'll bring you comprehensive updates from both sides.
Banyana gets serious ahead of the crucial Olympic qualifying round
Preparations for Banyana Banyana's CAF Women's Olympic showdown against Nigeria are in full swing as the countdown to the blockbuster match continues.
The South African senior women's team, sponsored by Sasol, will travel to Abuja for the first leg against Nigeria on April 5, before meeting their traditional rivals at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on April 9, 2024.
There are currently 23 players in the locally-based camp, although goalkeeper Andile Dlamini has withdrawn from the team due to health reasons. Samukelisiwe Serana was also absent due to injury.
Dlamini will be replaced by Legal Ngobeni, while Serana will be replaced by JVW FC's Mmabaso Mogale. Ellis has been added to the squad, with TUT FC's Mamokgase Senyatsi joining the camp. She was not included in the provisional list announced a few days ago.
Ellis was impressed by what he saw after the first official training session and further emphasized the importance of managing the players' workload.
“It’s really great and there’s a lot of enthusiasm and intensity,” she said. “We talked about how big this game is in the welcome meeting and it shows everyone is working towards this game. We played on Sunday so we had to manage our load.”
Ellis said it was not easy to narrow down the team from the initial 30 players he announced in the preliminary list a few days ago to the final 23, but the local representative's camp has given Banyana Banyana's technical team a little He added that he would give him time. Test the combination.
“There are still a few days left until the final squad is announced, so we have to make sure we decide on the combination. It won't be an easy match against Nigeria, so we have to make sure. They have shown their quality over a long period of time. However, we are still a high-quality team, so we have to give our absolute best.
“We need to make sure we have the right mix of youth and experience as well as the right combination.”
The Ellis are expected to announce their final squad for the two-legged qualifier against Nigeria on Thursday, March 28, 2024.
Star-studded Super Falcons team announced
Super Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum called up 22 players for the do-or-die game. It's a star-studded squad that includes Paris-based goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, African Player of the Year Asisato Oshoala and Atletico Madrid player Rashidat Ajibadeh. Spanish FC will be the captain of the team.
Regulars on Waldrum's team are Ashley Plumpter, Osinachi O'Haile and US-based Deborah Abiodun. The Super Falcons will welcome in-form forwards Uchenna Kanu and Esther Okoronkwo, NWSL stars from Spain's UD Tenerife.
2019 World Cup star Chidinma Okeke is a defender adept at protecting keeper and forward Chiwendu Ihezuo, while U20 defender Shukrat Oladipo has earned his first invite.
The reverse match will take place on Tuesday, April 9, at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, with the winner of the tie securing one of two tickets to Africa's Women's Olympic Football Tournament.
Banyana Banyana vs. Super Falcons tickets now on sale
Tickets for the crucial return match between Banyana Banyana and Nigeria's Super Falcons on April 9th at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria are on sale at all TicketPro outlets as well as Spar.
“Please wear your yellow varsity regalia. We want to cheer up Loftus on the day!”
Lydia Moniepao, SAFA CEO
Tickets can also be purchased at the stadium and cost R50 for adults and R20 for children.
The return match will take place on Tuesday 9th April, with kick-off at 7:30pm. Gates open at 17:00. The first leg will be held in Nigeria on April 5, 2024.
Fans are being urged to come out in droves to support the Senior Women's National Football Team in the lead-up to their home return match, with the promise of prizes including meeting their favorite Banyana Banyana players.
Paris Olympics soccer draw
The soccer draw for the 2024 Paris Olympics has been announced at Le Parse building in Saint-Denis, Paris, as the global event approaches.
The winner of Nigeria vs. South Africa will advance to Group C for the Paris tournament. The tough group includes Spain, Japan and Brazil.
Coach Ellis announced his 30-man reserve squad a few days ago, and the team entered camp on March 25, 2024, in preparation for a showdown with its longtime rival.
The final 23-member Olympic qualifier will be finalized in the coming days, with Ellis nominating his team.
Meanwhile, the Australian women's soccer team was placed in Group B, along with four-time Olympic champions USA and Rio 2016 gold medalists Germany.
The fourth team will be from Africa and will be either Zambia or Morocco after the CAF Women's Olympic Qualification Tournament (OQT) concludes next month.
Paris 2024 Olympic soccer will take place from July 24th to August 10th at seven different venues. However, the final will be held at the Parc des Princes soccer stadium in Paris.
Women's soccer team announced for 2024 Paris Olympics
Group A: France, Colombia, Canada, New Zealand
Group B: USA, (African team), Germany, Australia
Group C: Spain, Japan, (African team), Brazil
Banyana Banyana reserve team of 30 athletes for CAF Women's Olympic Qualification
goalkeeper
Rigal Ngobeni
Kaylin Swart
Katlego Moletsane
Dineo Magagura
defender
Karabo Dlamini
Fikir Magama
Asanda Hadebe
Tisetso Makhubela
Boitumelo Lacero
Lonasemba Mhlongo
Bambanani Mbane
Noko Matrou
Lebogang Ramalepe
Bonge Kagamede
midfielder
linda mottleharo
Refilo Jane
Lesego Nkoane
Sibulele Holweni
Nonhlanhla Mtandi
Mmabaso Mogale
Amogelan motau
Nombra Kugor
Sinoxolo Cesane
forward
Gabriela Salgado
nicole michael
Jermaine Soposenwe
Noxolo Cesane
Hilda McGuire
tumbi gatlana
Nthavisen Maziya
Full list of invited players from Nigeria
goalkeeper
Chiamaka Nadozier (Paris FC)
Tochukwu Oluehi (Shuarat Al-Sharqia FC, Saudi Arabia)
Linda Ziwak (Bayelsa Queens)
defender
Oshinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Football, Mexico)
Ashley Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies, Saudi Arabia)
Shukrat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens)
Michelle Alozi (Houston Dash, USA)
Nicole Payne (Portland Thorns FC, USA)
Chidinma Okeke (Mynavi Sendai Ladies, Japan)
midfielder
Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh, USA)
Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosengard, Sweden)
Cristi Uchebe (SL Benfica, Portugal)
Jennifer Eccesini (Juventus Ladies, Italy)
Rashidat Ajibade (Atlético Madrid FC, Spain)
Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain)
forward
Omolinsola Babajide (Costa Adeje Tenerife Egateza, Spain)
Esther Okoronkwo (Changchun FC, China)
Ifeoma Onumonu (SLC Utah, USA)
Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC, USA)
Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA)
Gift Monday (Costa Adeje Tenerife Egateza, Spain)
Chiwendu Hihezuo (Pachucha Club de Football, Mexico)
original copy: Edited by Safa.net, gsport
photo caption: Head coach Desiree Ellis said Andile Dlamini and Samukelisiwe Serana would be absent due to injury and would miss the final qualifiers, resulting in Legal Ngobeni and Mmabaso Mogale being called up and Mamokgaase Senyatsi as Sasol. informed the media that it would be added. – Sponsored Banyana Banyana is preparing for the opening match of the crucial African Olympic qualifiers to be held on April 5, 2024 in Abuja, Nigeria. photograph: Banyana Banyana
