Paris 2024 Qualifiers: Super Falcons face chaotic flight connections to Pretoria

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde 

Leading up to the critical return leg of the final Olympics Qualifiers between Nigeria’s senior women’s national team and South Africa next Tuesday, logistical challenges in African air travel are poised to disrupt the Super Falcons’ preparation for the game.

According to reports from Prompt News, the highly anticipated Paris Olympics Women’s Football Tournament CAF qualifiers’ final round first leg tie is set to take place at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.

However, due to scheduling issues, the Nigerian team will arrive at the match venue less than 24 hours before kick-off.

The nine-time African champions are scheduled to depart Nigeria via South African Airways flight on Sunday, with a layover in Johannesburg before connecting to Pretoria.

As a result of these travel arrangements, the team will miss out on two days of crucial training sessions. Their first opportunity to familiarize themselves with the turf of Loftus Versfeld Stadium will only come on Monday evening.

The lengthy journey, including a five-hour, 55-minute flight to Johannesburg followed by additional travel to Pretoria, combined with the logistical tasks of handling baggage and checking into their hotel, will undoubtedly take a toll on the traveling team’s energy and focus.

Further complicating matters, investigations have revealed that South Africa’s team, Banyana Banyana, also encountered flight challenges after the first leg in Abuja.

With South African Airlines not servicing Abuja, the team had to hastily arrange travel with RwandAir, departing two days after their defeat to Nigeria.

With so much at stake, the return leg at the 51,000-capacity Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Tuesday will determine the team that secures qualification for the women’s football event at the Olympics in Paris, France.

The outcome of this match hangs in the balance, with both teams facing significant logistical hurdles as they strive for victory.