Share
By: Ebenezer Bajela
As Nigeria and South Africa gear up for the final round of their Olympic qualifier, Banyana Banyana midfielder Nomvula Kgoale says the team is coping well with the weather conditions in Abuja, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Kgoale’s comments stem from the environmental conditions in Abuja, which according to accuweather.com, stands at 36 degrees as of Wednesday afternoon.
Super Falcons host Banyana in the first of the two encounters at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Friday before travelling to South Africa for the second leg, which will take place at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday.
Banyana, as reported by PUNCH Sports Extra, landed in Abuja on Sunday in order to acclimatise to the country’s weather conditions.
Speaking ahead of the highly-anticipated clash between the two women’s football superpowers in Africa, Kgoale urged her teammates to be mentally strong to deal with their traditional foes.
“It’s extremely important to be mentally tough. We know that Nigeria are a very tough opponent to play against…they’ve won WAFCON so many times and they’ve done well at the World Cups as well,” Kgoale was quoted as saying by Sowetanlive.
“Back at home the air is much thinner and over here it’s much heavier but personally I’ve played in the United States for almost six years, and I know how to play in this kind of weather… you almost feel like you are breathing heat. The grass is also heavier but I am sure we would’ve adjusted in two days’ time (Friday).”
Banyana beat Nigeria 2-1 the last time they met in the group stage of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in 2022 and went on to win the tournament.
As she is fondly called, the Lipstick Lady expects Randy Waldrum’s side to gun for revenge.
“We know that the last time we played them we won, so they will be looking for revenge,” Kgoale added.