Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has given credit to her technical team for getting the players prepared to face Nigeria in a crucial CAF Olympic Qualifier.
Banyana and Nigeria will face off in a two-legged clash scheduled for Friday and Tuesday, 09 April. Ellis says she’s thrilled with all the preparations they have done in camp coming into this match.
''I think we have put in a lot of work back home, even here, but a big thanks to the technical team they have been amazing in assisting in all of this, so yah we are two games away and they will be tough,'' said Ellis.
Banyana missed out on the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo having only qualified in 2012 and 2016, while Nigeria’s last appearance at the Games was in 2008 in Beijing.
The coach says this is the main reason why tomorrow’s clash will be tough.
''Having missed out in 2020 and they missed out in 2018. I have got to give Nigeria the respect, they have won the WAFCON so many times, we will have to be at our best to get a result on this game,'' added Ellis.
Banyana captain Refiloe Jane and defender Bambanani Mbane both got injured during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia/New Zealand and the coach is excited to have them back for this important fixture.
''You look at Bambanani who hasn't played since the world cup, you look at Refiloe who hasn't played since the world cup and you see how effortlessly they gel with the team, the players are so used to playing together,'' she concluded.
Banyana won 3-1 on aggregate in their Olympic Qualifier against DR Congo then went on to beat Tanzania 4-0 on aggregate and Ellis adds that this final Olympic Qualifier will be a different ball game since the loser misses out on the opportunity to represent Africa at this year’s Olympics.
