Banyana Banyana fell short of qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games after a goalless draw with Nigeria saw the West Africans win the two-legged tie 1-0 on aggregate at Loftus Stadium in Pretoria on Tuesday night, 10 April, 2024.
The South African senior women’s team came into this match trailing 0-1 after defeat in the first leg in Abuja, Nigeria, last week, and coach Desiree Ellis’ team needed to find a way past the stubborn visitors.
The Banyana Banyana Road to the CAF 2024 Olympic Qualifier
But the Sasol-sponsored side struggled to push forward in the first half to find the elusive goal that would have brought them back into the game. The home side went into halftime with no shots on target with Nigeria doing well to contain them.
The two sides went into the break deadlocked at 0-0 with the Super Falcons leading 1-0 on aggregate.
The second half saw an improvement in Banyana Banyana’s performance as they pushed numbers forward and made a few substitutions, with Sinoxolo Cesane and Hildah Magaia coming on for Nomvula Kgoale and Noxolo Cesane.
But despite the improved performance, the home team could not get that breakthrough goal against a strong Nigeria defence, backed up by good goalkeeping from Nnnadozie Chamaka.
As the fulltime whistle blew, it was heartache for South Africa as Nigeria advanced as one of the two African representatives at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
It was a bittersweet moment for Lebohang Ramalepe, who won her 100th cap during the match. A disappointed Ellis apologised to the player for not marking the milestone with a victory.
The coach further expressed her disappointment with the outcome of the game.
“We knew that coming into this game we needed to score. We also knew that we needed to score as early as possible because the longer the game went on, we became desperate.”
Banyana Banyana Head Coach, Desiree Ellis
“We did not start well, we changed the formation slightly, because we needed to score,” said Ellis.
“We did not go forward as much as we wanted to in the first half, made a couple of changes in the second half and threw the kitchen sink at them. Unfortunately that elusive goal did not go in and for that we are very disappointed,” added Ellis.
Nigeria Win the CAF African Fourth Round Olympic Qualifier on a 1-0 Aggregate
Fri, 5 April: Nigeria 1-0 South Africa (MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria)
Tue, 9 April: South Africa 0-0 Nigeria (Loftus Versveld, Pretoria, South Africa)
Result of the Olympic Qualifier First Leg in Abuja, Nigeria on Friday 5 April 2024
Nigeria……….(1)1 (Ajibade 43’)
South Africa…(0)0
Result of the Olympic Qualifier Return Leg in Pretoria, South Africa on Tuesday 9 April 2024
South Africa…(0)0
Nigeria……….(0)0
South Africa Banyana Banyana Starting XI for the CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifier Return Leg
1 Kaylin Swart (GK)
7 Karabo Dhlamini
3 Bongeka Gamede
17 Tiisetso Makhubela
2 Lebogang Ramalepe
10 Linda Motlhalo
15 Refiloe Jane (C)
6 Noxolo Cesane
14 Nomvula Kgoale
11 Thembi Kgatlana
12 Jermaine Seoposenwe
Substitutes
4 Noko Matlou
5 Fikile Magama
8 Hildah Magaia
9 Gabriela Salgado
13 Bambanani Mbane
16 Regirl Ngobeni
18 Sibulele Holweni
19 Lonathemba Mhlongo
20 Sinoxolo Cesane
21 Katlego Moletsane
22 Amogelang Motau
Nigeria Super Falcons Starting XI for the CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifier Return Leg
16. Chiamaka Nnadozie (GK)
3. Osinachi Ohale
5. Chidinma Okeke
22. Michelle Alozie
18. Halimatu Ayinde
10. Christy Ucheibe
13. Deborah Abiodun
15. Rasheedat Ajibade (C)
17. Jennifer Echegini
12. Uchenna Kanu
19. Chinwendu Ihezuo
Substitutes
1. Tochukwu Oluehi
2. Ifeoma Onumonu
4. Jumoke Alani
6. Esther Okoronkwo
7. Toni Payne
8. Asisat Oshoala
9. Rinsola Babajide
11. Gift Monday
14. Shukurat Oladipo
20. Nicole Payne
21. Linda Jiwuaku
Original Copy: SAFA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Nigeria’s Deborah Abiodun eludes the attentions of South Africa’s Noxolo Cesane as the Super Falcons withstood every Banyana Banyana attack to draw the return leg 0-0, and win Olympic Qualification by a 1-nil aggregate in the CAF Women’s Olympic qualifier at Loftus Versveld in Pretoria, South Africa, on Tuesday, 9 April 2024. Photo: Banyana Banyana on Twitter
(0 rating, 0 votes, rated)
Loading...
