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By: Ebenezer Bajela
Ahead of the highly-anticipated clash between Nigeria and South Africa for a spot at the women’s football event of the 2024 Olympics in Paris, a section of fans have expressed concern over Super Falcons chances of qualifying for the event following a camp update from the team’s social media handle, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The two teams, arguably the best women football squads on the African continent, will face off in a two-legged affair as they battle for one of the two tickets from Africa for Paris 2024 Olympics women’s football event.
The first leg of the encounter will take place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Friday while the return leg is scheduled for the Loftus Versfeld arena in Pretoria four days later.
Both sides have forged an intense rivalry over the years and are seen as the toast of Africa following successes on the continent, but it’s been the South Africans who have won recent battles.
Banyana beat Nigeria in their last two meetings, the 2022 WAFCON in Morocco and 2021 Aisha Buhari Cup in Lagos, tournaments that Banyana went on to win.
It is as a result of this that some fans expressed worries after the team’s media officer posted on Facebook at exactly 6:47pm on Tuesday that only 14 players had arrived camp for the mouth-watering clash.
“We are very focused and strategic with our plans. We trained today (Tuesday) and were very intentional.
“Camp is almost full and would be at the zenith 48 hours before Friday. No country has an edge over the other, FIFA window/release from clubs is always the same day.
“We are a team with mostly foreign based players and our professionalism is the edge we have.”
However, the update on the team’s official X handle has drawn concern from fans.
Favour Reality wrote, “Barely three days to kick-off and we have only 14 players (in camp) available? That is a short time in-between for the team to gel before taking on South Africa.”
Henry Oloye questioned Oshoala’s expected Thursday’s arrival, “If assist arrives on Thursday for a game that is to be played on Friday then she isn’t ready to play this match and we should proceed without her as a starter.
“The South Africans have been training in Nigeria for the second day now.”
Anyarogbu Justin believed Banyana would pick the ticket at the expense of the Falcons.
“South Africa will pick the ticket. They’re much more serious. They arrived in Nigeria first and have been training already here in Nigeria for two days now. Our girls are yet to arrive. Really bad.”
Another X user Elizabeth said she won’t be losing any sleep over the Falcons.
“Let me not expect too much from this match as much as I love the Super Falcons. Honestly, I don’t want to have high blood pressure honestly. The South Africa team has been training for long. Which miracle will you do?”
Reacting to the post, a South African Azanian Authi taunted the Falcons over the number of players in camp.
“We already training for the second day in Abuja making sure the sun hits us well. You guys are still eating breakfast with 14 players.”
According to the update Osinachi Ohale, Jennifer Echegini, Toni Payne, Abiodun Deborah, Ucheibe Christy, Chidinma Okeke, Uchenna Kanu, Linda Jiwaku, Jumoke Alani, Shukurat Oladipo, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Tochi Oluehi and captain Rasheedat Ajibade were the players already in camp and trained on Tuesday.