Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum has named an unchanged lineup from the team that defeated South Africa 1-0 in Abuja.
Randy is apparently happy with what he saw in the first leg and has decided to go with the same team and same formation for the second leg game in Pretoria.
Rasheedat Ajibade’s goal from the spot in the first half gave Nigeria the win, and they will look to contain South Africa as they seek a first appearance at the Olympics for the first time since 2008.
No Asisat Oshoala on the starters list
The Bay FC star came late to camp for the first leg and was declared unfit to start. She was primed to start in Pretoria, but Waldrum has had a change of heart and kept her on the bench.
It will be a 4-3-3 formation once again as the two giants of Africa’s Women’s football go head to head.
How the Super Falcons will line-up
Once again, in-form Chiamaka Nnadozie will start in goal for the Super Falcons as she has been reliable between the sticks. She did not have much to do in the first leg but came up big when she was called upon.
The Falcons will surely rely on the Paris FC star to keep the Banyana Banyana attack silent.
The center-back pairing will once again have Benfica midfielder Christy Ucheibe, who is also comfortable at the center of defense, and she will be partnered by veteran defender Osinachi Ohale.
The full-backs will have Michelle Alozie on the right and Chidinma Okeke on the left as they look to shore up the wings to curtail Banyana Banyana forward Thembi Kgatlana.
Halimatu Ayinde will sit just in front of the defense and will be supported by Jennifer Echegini and exciting youngster Deborah Abiodun from Pittsburgh University.
Chinwendu Ihezuo, who impressed in the first game, gets another chance as she leads the attack and will be flanked by Uchenna Kanu and team captain Rasheedat Ajibade.
Last ten South Africa vs Nigeria meetings
Even though the Super Falcons have an edge over Banyana Banyana in head-to-head records, the gap has continually gotten slimmer as the years go by.
The first time the two teams met was in 1995 in a World Cup qualifier, and Nigeria smashed South Africa 4-1, then followed it up with a 7-1 away win.
The match in Pretoria will add to the long list of titanic battles between the two teams.
Here is how the last ten games between the two sides went:
South Africa 1 Nigeria 1 (Friendly) – June 2012
Nigeria 0 South Africa 0 (Friendly) – June 2012
South Africa 1 Nigeria 0 (WAFCON) – November 2012
South Africa 1 Nigeria 2 (WAFCON) – October 2014
Nigeria 1 South Africa 0 (WAFCON) – November 2016
South Africa 1 Nigeria 0 (WAFCON) – November 2018
Nigeria 0 (4) South Africa 0 (3) (WAFCON) – Nigeria won on penalties – December 2018
Nigeria 2 South Africa 4 (Aisha Buhari Cup) – September 2021
South Africa 2 Nigeria 1 (WAFCON) – July 2022
Nigeria 1 South Africa 0 (Olympics Qualifier) April 2024
Winner takes all
The winner of this tie will be on the plane to Paris to represent Africa at the Women’s football event of the Olympics alongside the winner of the Morocco and Zambia side.
Morocco take a 2-1 win from the first leg as they host Zambia.
There will be no away goals rule for this final qualifier.
Nigeria confirmed line-up
Goalkeeper – Chiamaka Nnadozie
Defenders: Osinachi Ohale, Christy Ucheibe, Michelle Alozie, Chidinma Okeke
Midfielders: Halimatu Ayinde, Deborah Abiodun, Jennifer Echegini
Forwards: Chinwendu Ihezuo, Uchenna Kanu, Rasheedat Ajibade
Nigeria vs. South Africa kicks off at 6.30 pm WAT at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium. It will be live on SuperSport.
