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Head coach of South Africa’s female national football team, Desiree Ellis, has expressed optimism ahead of today’s second leg of the Paris 2024 Olympic qualifier against Nigeria’s Super Falcons.
The Bayana Bayana lost 1-0 in the first leg held at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Friday. Despite the defeat, Ellis remains hopeful of her team’s chances of overturning the deficit.
She says the first game was “just the first half” while “the second leg is the final half.”
Speaking on the loss in Nigeria, Coach Ellis emphasised the need for improvement. She said, “We’ve looked at the footage of the first leg and we had a discussion about it and we know we are better than what we showed in Nigeria.
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“We can do better than that. I think the second half showed how well we can play. Tomorrow’s game is a match that we have to win and like you said earlier, it’s a do or die affair.”
Rasheedat Ajibade’s penalty late in the first half was all the Super Falcons needed to claim the first leg victory.
Desiree Ellis plots Super Falcons downfall ahead Paris 2024 Olympic qualifiers
Ellis also stated the importance of comprehensive preparation and rest, ensuring the team is in optimal condition for the crucial fixture.
She works closely with the medical team to make sure the squad is well-rested and prepared for the big match.
The winner of the South Africa-Nigeria match will book a place in Group C of the Women’s football event at the Paris Olympics. Heavyweights Brazil, Japan, and Spain are the other group members.
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