The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana have started preparations for the all-important do or die 2024 Paris Olympic qualifiers against the Nigerian Super Falcons next month.
On Monday (25 March 2024) the South Africans assembled for a week-long training camp in Pretoria with only the local-based players in attendance. They held their first training session on Tuesday (26 March) at the Tuks training fields.
But goalkeeper Andile Dlamini was nowhere to be seen after she withdrew from the team due to medical reasons. Another goalkeeper has been called up to be part of the preliminary squad which will still be trimmed down to 23. This leaves Banyana Banyana with goal minders Kaylin Swart, Katlego Moletsane, Dineo Magagula and Regirl Ngobeni of UWC who has been called up to replace Dlamini.
“We are without Andile Dlamini who has withdrawn for medical reasons. We have a group of players that are always ready to step up whenever there is a player missing, so this will not affect the preparations much. We look at this and see an opportunity for another player to raise their hands,” said Banyana Banyana Head Coach Desiree Ellis.
Samkelisiwe Selana has also withdrawn due to injury and her place has been taken by Mmabatho Mogale of JVW FC, while TUT Matsatsantsa midfielder Mamokgaase Senyatsi has been added to the team – she was not part of the preliminary squad announced recently.
The overseas-based contingent, who still have games in their respective leagues, is expected to travel directly to Nigeria for the encounter: Jane (Italy), Jermaine Seoposenwe, Hilda Magaia, Sinoxolo Cesane, Thembi Kgatlana (all four from Mexico), Noko Matlou (Spain), and Linda Motlhalo (USA).
Jane along with Bambanani Mbane, earn a call up after an absence of six months due to injury.
“Despite the absence of some key players – Dlamini and the injured duo of Kholosa Biyana and Wendy Shongwe – I am happy we have Fifi, Mbane, Gamede and Holweni back, that really warms my heart because those are your more experienced players. And experience in this essence is going to help in this situation as it might be hostile as we know how passionate the fans of Nigeria are and they will be screaming for their team. We need that experience to get over this hurdle,” added Ellis.
Meanwhile, Ellis’ counterpart in the Nigerian squad, Randy Waldrum, has named only two locally based players in a squad of 22 players for the upcoming fixture.
The pair of Bayelsa Queens goalkeeper Linda Jiwuaku and FC Robo Queens defender Shukurat Oladipo, are the only players plying their trade in the Nigerian Women Premier League, with the rest of the squad scattered outside the African continent in countries like USA, Spain, Mexico, Portugal, and Sweden, among others.
Oladipo, who also features for the Nigeria U20 Women’s National Team, the Falconets, earns her first call-up.
Waldrum has gone with experience as he has included the 2023 AFRICAN FEMALE BEST GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR, Nnadozie Chiamaka who runs out for Paris FC in France, as well as the CAF 2023 Female Player of the Year, Asisat Oshoala who recently left Barcelona to join Bay FC in the USA.
South Africa and Nigeria face off in the first leg on Friday, 5 April at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, with an 18h00 (SA Time) kick-off.
The return leg will take place on Tuesday, 9 April at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, commencing at 19h30.
The overall winner of the two-legged time will be one of the representatives of the African continent at the Paris Olympic Games which will be held from 24 July to 10 August 2024.
North Africans Morocco and COSAFA member Zambia will battle it out for the other ticket.
Nigeria Super Falcons vs Banyana Banyana:
Goalkeepers
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC)
Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia)
Linda Jiwuaku (Bayelsa Queens)
Defenders:
Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico)
Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies, Saudi Arabia)
Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens)
Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA)
Nicole Payne (Portland Thorns FC, USA)
Chidinma Okeke (Mynavi Sendai Ladies, Japan)
Midfielders:
Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh, USA)
Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosengard, Sweden)
Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)
Jennifer Echegini (Juventus Ladies, Italy)
Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain)
Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain)
Forwards:
Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain)
Esther Okoronkwo (Changchun FC, China)
Ifeoma Onumonu (SLC Utah, USA)
Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC, USA)
Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA)
Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain)
Chiwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico)
By Matlhomola Morake
