Olympics Qualifiers: Oshoala yet to hit camp but Waldrum and Ajibade sure of victory against Banyana

Apr 4, 2024 - 06:57

As of Wednesday, a total of 19 players are in camp for Super Falcons' crucial Paris 2024 Olympics qualifying match against South Africa slated for MKO Abiola Stadium Abuja on Friday.

Still being expected are US-based Asisat Oshoala and Chinwendu Ihezuo of Mexico.

Speaking on the Friday match Super Falcons coach, Randy Waldrum, is confident his team beat Banyana Banyana.

The Falcons have missed three consecutive Olympic Games — London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020 — since their last appearance in Beijing 2008 and Waldrum adds that his team’s focus is on qualifying for Paris, France later this year.

Nine-time African champions Falcons host reigning African champions South Africa for the first leg at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Friday, with the reverse fixture billed for Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld Arena next Tuesday.

Both teams head into this tie with a winning streak of five games respectively.

Super Falcons Captain Rasheedat Ajibade also expressed confidence that Nigeria will beat South Africa “Yes, we have dominated women’s football in the continent for a while now but we are not dwelling on past glory but what we can do now.

“Picking the Olympic tickets is what matters to us now. The mindset in camp is positive, although there is a little bit of stress, we are coping and are going to manage everything well professionally.

“One word I will say to my team is, ‘let’s do it,’ let’s go all out to secure victory for the country. I am optimistic of a win on Friday.”

Ajibade said “From the time we played Ethiopia, we have been committed to seeing these qualification series through. Our objective has always been to win a slot in the Olympics. Most of us are yet to play in the Olympics and it is a big issue with us. We want to be there in Paris.

“There are a couple of issues the Super Falcons have to sort out with Banyana Banyana. However, that is not the motivation this time. The motivation is qualifying for the Olympics.”