Ahead of the South Africa vs Nigeria return leg in Pretoria, Banyana Banyana forward Thembi Kgatlana believes the reigning African champions have what it takes to overturn their first-leg defeat in the final qualifier for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
The 27-year-old and her teammates gave their all at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja last Friday but it still wasn’t enough against the Super Falcons. Rasheedat Ajibade’s late penalty in the first half ended up being the difference between the two teams, as Nigeria took a slender 1-0 victory from the first leg.
There is, however, all to play for ahead of the second leg on Tuesday at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria and Kgatlana fancies her country beating their opponents to book their place at the Olympics.
Kgatlana sees positives ahead of South Africa vs Nigeria
Kgatlana said although a poor start was Banyana's bane in the first leg of the South Africa vs Nigeria tie, they were the better side in the second half. The Tigres Femenil forward also noted that Bayana Bayana will enjoy the benefit of playing at home since they boast better facilities as compared to Nigeria.
The one-time CAF Women’s Footballer of the Year further pointed to the fact that the away-goal rule won’t be used to determine the winner of the tie, should both teams cancel each other out, as an advantage to South Africa.
“I think for us in the first half, we started a bit slow and coming into the second stanza, we were better. That's the positive we need to take going back home with familiar facilities and knowing what to do in front of our fans,” Kgatlana told SAFA media, as quoted by Sowetan Live.
“The good thing is [that] this is not a tournament. We know after the game in Pretoria, whoever wins will go through, but they have the advantage after the first leg; there is no away-goal rule. I also think that gives us more confidence because we are not chasing the game. We know that we have to win with a better score. We also have an advantage at home with better facilities.”
Desiree Ellis wants Banyana to take the game to Super Falcons
Nigeria have failed to qualify for each of the last three Olympic Games, with their last attempt ending in heartbreak due to the away-goal rule. When the Super Falcons faced the Ivory Coast in October 2019 in a 2020 Olympic qualifier, they were huge favourites to advance after securing a goalless draw away from home in the first leg.
However, Nigeria were stunned in the reverse fixture in front of their home fans at the Agege stadium in Lagos after being held to a 1-1 draw, leading to their failure to qualify for the Olympics on away goals.
Although the away-goal rule won’t be in play this time, South Africa coach Desiree Ellis expects Nigeria to adopt a defensive approach and said her side will go all out to secure qualification.
“We have to look at the footage to see how we can rectify things and how we can be better. We need to score, but we need to be aware to not concede and make sure that we score first to get the game back on at even,” Ellis told SAFA media, as quoted by Sowetan Live.
“It's now up to us to take the game to them and make sure that we score and also make sure that we are settled in defence and we don't concede. They don't have to come. They can sit back, but the onus is on us. We are going back to familiar surroundings and we hope to take the game to them.”
Nigeria haven't qualified for the Olympic Games since 2008, while Bayana Bayana’s last appearance was in 2016.
