National Teams
Paris 2024 Qualifiers: Desiree Ellis rues missed chances against Super Falcons
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Head coach of South Africa senior women’s national team has showed her disappointment after Nigeria qualified for the women’s football event of Paris 2024 Olympics ahead of her team.
A 0-0 draw at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria ensured a 1-0 aggregate win for the Super Falcons over African champions, Banyana Banyana on Tuesday.
Despite having lots of ball possession, Ellis side were unable to score a go which would have taken the match into extra time and possibly penalties.
“I think we wanted to go forward a lot more. Sometimes especially in the first half we played backwards, had possessions but no progression,” Ellis told SABC Sports.
“In the second half, I think we have everything we had but it just wouldn’t go in. We had two chances either side of the keeper that didn’t go in but I am proud of tbe team. I think we gave everything today and unfortunately it wasn’t the result we wanted.
“Very disappointed for the fans that came out in their numbers to support us but I think the crowd in South Africa can be very proud of this team. We might not get to the Olympic which is the usual disappointment but we gave everything today.”
On the way forward for her team, Ellis hopes the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) take place this year as they have something to fight for which is to retain the title their won in 2022.
“I think a lot of us would go back and seat down. The next window is only in May. We will seat down end of May and look at the way forward. We are hoping that the WAFCON can still happen this year because we still have something to play for, but when you have those chances and don’t put them away, somehow it happened to us in 2020,” she continued.
“They [Nigeria] defended resolutely and must be given credit for that. It shows that we were the top two teams in Africa but disappointed we won’t be going to the Olympics.” She concluded.