Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-04-07 04:04:15
After suffering a 0-1 loss to the Super Falcons of Nigeria in the first leg of their Paris 2024 Olympics qualifying match in Abuja, coach Desiree Ellis of Banyana Banyana from South Africa is determined to bounce back and secure a victory in the upcoming second leg in Pretoria. The lone goal in the first leg came in the 43rd minute from a penalty taken by Rasheedat Ajibade, a winger from Atletico Madrid, giving Nigeria the advantage in the series thus far.
Despite the setback, Ellis remains optimistic about her team’s chances of overcoming the deficit in the second leg. She has previous experience facing the Super Falcons, having led Banyana Banyana in various matches against the Nigerian national team. In 2016, Ellis guided her team to the African Women Championship in Cameroon, where they faced the Super Falcons in the semifinals and lost under the leadership of then-coach Florence Omagbemi. However, in 2021, Ellis and her team traveled to Lagos and delivered a remarkable 4-1 victory over the Super Falcons during the Aisha Buhari Cup final, marking the Falcons’ most significant defeat on home soil against an African opponent.
Furthermore, Ellis led her team to a 2-1 victory over the Super Falcons in the semifinals of the African Women Nations Cup, a tournament that eventually saw the South Africans emerge as champions in Morocco. Despite these past accomplishments, Ellis remains focused on the task at hand and is determined to lead Banyana Banyana to success in the upcoming match in Pretoria.
Reflecting on the first leg in Abuja, Ellis acknowledged that it was a closely contested match and emphasized that her team still has a chance to turn the result around in the second leg. She commended her players for their effort and highlighted the opportunities they created throughout the game, noting that they could have equalized if a few key moments had gone their way. Ellis expressed pride in her team’s performance and affirmed that they will carry that momentum into the second leg against the Super Falcons.
Looking ahead to the crucial match in Pretoria, Ellis emphasized that Banyana Banyana will approach the game with determination and a positive mindset. She believes that her team has what it takes to overcome the deficit and secure a victory on home soil. With a history of success against the Super Falcons, Ellis remains confident in her team’s ability to deliver a strong performance and achieve the desired result in the Paris 2024 Olympics qualifying series.
