By Julius Okorie
The Nation's Senior female team, Super Falcons have declared
operation consolidate in today's make or break final Olympic Qualifiers against
Banyana Banyana of South Africa.
The Falcons settled for a lone goal victory at the MKO
Abiola Stadium Abuja in the first leg and are hoping to either re-enact that
performance or hold the hosts to a score or goalless draw at the Loftus
Versfeld, Stadium in Pretoria to guarantee their ticket to the Paris 2024.
Sevilla and Super
Eagles midfielder Toni Payne expressed optimism that the Falcons will triumph
in today's encounter.
"We have a lot of confidence from the last match, we have
rested and are prepared we are determined to get to the Olympics" she
assured in a chat with NFF tv ahead of the match.
South Africa are still looking for a first win over the
Falcons in any match at home soil, a record which Falcons are determined to
maintain today.
In 24 previous encounters (with seven played in South
Africa), Nigeria clinched 15, with five ending in draws and South Africa
winning on four occasions all away.
The Randy Waldrum tutored side had after the first leg lone
goal victory in Abuja described is as "One step closer to target"
Four Countries, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and Morocco
are locked in two legged play-offs to claim only two African slots to the
Olympics which will hold from Fri, 26 Jul 2024 – Sun, 11 Aug 2024.
Zambia who made a debut at the last Olympics in Japan look
likely to miss the ticket this time after losing 2-1 at home to visiting
Morocco. The second leg takes place today at the Prince Moulay El Hassan
stadium in Rabat with Morocco taking 2-1 advantage to the match plus guaranteed
vociferous home support that will further cement the deal.
Should the Atlas Lionesses make it to the Olympics as they
are set to do, it will not only be their first time but it will be the first
time Women team from North Africa will be featuring at the event.
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