Paris 2024 Olympics: Desiree Ellis talks tough ahead of South Africa’s clash against the Super Falcons of Nigeria

Coach of the South African Female Football Team, Desiree Ellis, has revealed she expects the Banyana Banyana to take charge of the game against Nigeria with a good result in Abuja, Soccernet.ng reports.

Randy Waldrum was in charge of the Super Falcons as they defeated The Lionesses of Cameroon in Abuja, with the only goal of the game coming from Esther Okoronkwo.

Following the win over Cameroon, a defeat to South Africa is all that stands between Nigeria and a place at the Paris 2024 Olympics, but Coach Ellis has revealed she won’t back down, with her sights set on a place in France.

“The first leg will be key. Getting a positive result in the first leg will take a lot of pressure off us because the travelling is long and there’s little time to prepare for the second leg. We’re going early to Nigeria to prepare there as well. We need to get a positive result to take pressure off us coming home. We want to get home with little pressure and we’re also urging the fans to come out in their numbers because when we play away the stadiums are packed,” the 61-year-old tactician said in quotes revealed by TimesLive.

The 2022 Women’s African Cup of Nations winners will be without the first-choice goalkeeper, Andile Dlamini, due to medical reasons, but the coach is confident her side will put up a good performance nonetheless.

“It doesn’t affect us much. We have a group of players to step in if somebody steps out. It gives an opportunity for someone else to raise their hand,” Ellis added.

The Super Falcons will host Banyana Banyana in the first leg at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Friday, April 5. The reverse fixture will be held at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Tuesday, April 9. The winners of the tie will secure a spot at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

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