Paris 2024 Olympic Qualifiers: Five Banyana Banyana players to trouble Nigeria

By Wale Mustapha

The Nigeria’s women’s national team will be hosting their counterparts from South Africa for the first leg encounter in the final qualifying round to the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic this week.

The match is billed for MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Friday by 5pm.  Both sides will rekindling their rivalries in the encounter as the outcome will determine who will fly African flag in Paris later in the year.

Here are the five players of Banyana Banyana the Super Falcons must be wary of if they are to ensure a convincing result and avoid an heartbreak.

The 27-year-old striker has 13 goals in 34 games for South Africa and is a key reason why the Banyana have lost none of their last eight games.

She will be hoping to increase the tally on Friday as she’s firing in all cylinders in 2024.

Kgatlana has scored four times in nine appearances since she joined UANL in January.

With her pace on the flanks, perfect hold on play and ferocious shot, Super Falcons’ defenders will have much to contend with.

Moodaly is gradually establishing herself as one of regulars in the Bayana Bayana squad with back to back impressive performances.

She’s forming a strong shield for the defense alongside Gamede and hoping to replicate same against Nigeria side.

The likes of Christy Ucheibe, Rasheedat Ajibade and Deborah Abiodun will need to employ a better approach to deal with her.

3. Noko ‘Beep-Beep’ Matlou

The 39-year-old is currently the most capped South Africa player with 149 appearances and is expected to bring her wealth of experience in the national team to bear against Nigeria on Friday.

Though she may not be able to contend with pace of Nigerian strikers, but can thwart their moves with precise blockages and interceptions.

How the Bayana Bayana will get out of the match unscathed will be determined by how integral Matlou is in the encounter.

The 25-year-old Racing Louisville winger is one of the Mainstays of South African side complimenting Kgatlana from the flanks.

Her strength is the ability to operate from both flanks and deliver near perfect crosses that can easily be converted.

Motlhalo can also operate from midfield which makes her a real threat, not only for the Falcons’ defenders but the midfielders.

One of experienced players in the Bayana Bayana squad and has formed a better partnership with Matlou in defense.

Together, they’ve helped the WAFCON defending champions to keep more clean sheets in their last eight games.

Ramalepe, 32, is good in the air and can also come in handy with their precisions in thwarting dangers around her goal area.

With her and Matlou in defense for South Africa, it will require a perfect accuracy, pace and strength for Nigeria strikers to get their chances coounted.