Banyana Banyana begins training for Super Falcons downfall in Pretoria

With less than two weeks to the all-important final Paris Olympic Games  women’s football qualifying contest against Nigeria, South Africa has opened camp.

The reigning African champions will face the Super Falcons in a two-legged final qualifying round tie where the overall winner will qualify and compete in Group C of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

The Desiree Ellis-led had their first official training on Tuesday at the Tuks High Performance Centre.

A group of 23 home based players have arrived in camp with foreign based Stars expected to join.

However, two key players of the team including their first choice goalkeeper Andile Dlamini, have reportedly withdrawn due to injuries.

Nigeria will host the first leg at the MKO stadium, Abuja, next week Friday, April 5. While the reversed leg will be at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on April 9.

Despite emerging nine-time African champions, the Super Falcons last qualified for the Games 16 years ago and coach Ellis is optimistic to extend the jinx.

“We still have a couple of days before the final squad announcement, so I have to make sure that I get the combinations right,” she told the SAFA official website.

“I have to make absolutely sure because it won’t be an easy game against Nigeria. They have shown their quality over a period of time and they are still a quality team, so we have to be at our absolute best.

“We have to make sure that we get the combinations right as well as the mix of youth and experience right.”