National Teams
Paris 2024 Olympics: Banyana get motivation from South African High Commission for Nigeria duel
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics Qualifiers clash between the South African senior women’s national team and their Nigerian counterparts, Banyana Banyana, a significant visit occurred as the team paid a courtesy call to the South African High Commission.
During the visit, South African High Commissioner in Nigeria, Thami Mseleku, orated an inspiring message to Desiree Ellis’s squad, urging them to stun the Super Falcons in Abuja on Friday.
Upon their arrival in Nigeria on Sunday with a squad of 17 players, the current African champions commenced their preparations with their first training session on Monday afternoon.
Representing High Commissioner Thami Mseleku, Linda Mnisela extended a warm welcome to the players and conveyed the Commissioner’s message to the entire team.
“On behalf of High Commissioner Thami Mseleku, we are here to welcome you. He is the one who sent us here to give you a warm welcome. We have been waiting for the team for hours, patiently so because we were looking forward to having this privilege and honour of seeing each and every one of you,” said Mnisela.
“I know you are all tired from the trip and we just wanted to wish you the best for the game on Friday. We are looking forward to it with our vuvuzelas ready and we do not doubt that you are going to win this”.
Following the first leg encounter on Friday, the return leg is scheduled to take place in Pretoria on Tuesday.
Ultimately, the team emerging victorious on aggregate will secure qualification for the women’s football event of the Olympics, proudly representing Africa alongside one of Morocco or Zambia.
