Sports
Ajibade, South Africa Coach Talk Tough Ahead Of Super Falcons Vs Banyana WAFCON Semifinal
Super Falcons captain, Rasheedat Ajibade, said Nigeria are ready for a fierce battle against arch-rivals South Africa in the semifinals of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Speaking ahead of the showdown at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Ajibade said the Super Falcons are embracing the pressure and living for big-match moments.
“These are the kind of games we want to play,” she told CAFonline. “Getting to the semifinal shows the effort the team put into every game. We try to improve ourselves in each match.”
After an unconvincing start to the tournament, the nine-time champions turned up the heat in the quarter-finals, spanking Zambia’s Copper Queens 5-0.
The result not only sent a warning to the rest of the continent but also reinforced the Super Falcons’ status as the tournament’s most dangerous side, with nine goals scored and none conceded so far.
Tonight’s clash will reignite one of African football’s fiercest rivalries, as Nigeria and South Africa meet again with everything on the line.
Banyana Banyana won the last WAFCON final between the two sides, edging the Falcons 1-0 in 2022, and head coach Desiree Ellis insists her team doesn’t need any extra motivation.
“The technical team has been really busy behind the scenes and leaving no stone unturned,” Ellis said. “I think you don’t need motivation for a semifinal, and we are ready for the game.”
South Africa, who are hoping to defend the title they won in Morocco three years ago, made it through to the semifinal after surviving a tense quarter-final against Senegal. They advanced 4-1 on penalties, having had only one full training session in the lead-up.
Despite the tight schedule, Banyana midfielder Gabriela Salgado remains confident in her team’s preparation.
“We know we’re going into the semifinal game, it’s going to be a challenge, but we are physically and mentally prepared,” she said.
The winner of the Nigeria Vs South Africa clash will face either Morocco or Ghana in Saturday’s final at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.
Note that the Semi-final clash will kick off at 5 p.m. later today, July 22.
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