The road to Olympic qualification may have come to an end for Banyana Banyana, but there are still two African giants at the Games in Paris, and that will certainly want to make the continent proud when the event gets underway at the end of July later this year.
Zambia and Nigeria are the two teams flying the flag for the continent after their victories saw them grab the last two Olympic spots on offer. The Super Falcons came out on top by a narrow margin against Desiree Ellis’ charges after they secured a 1-0 aggregate win over their South African counterparts in Pretoria on Tuesday, 9 April 2024.
Nigeria took on Ethiopia, Cameroon, and finally Banyana in their qualification journey, and Tuesday night’s win means they will now make a return to the Olympics after having not participated in the event for the last 16 years.
Nigeria will be in Group C, which can be considered the ‘Group of Death’ up against current world champions Spain, along with women’s football stalwarts Brazil and Japan.
The Banyana Banyana Road to the CAF 2024 Olympic Qualifier
South Africa vs Nigeria
9 April ’24: 0-1 + 0-0 = Nigeria win 1-0 on Agg.
South Africa vs Tanzania
28 February ’24: 3-0 + 1-0 = 4-0 Aggregate Win
South Africa vs Burkina Faso
4 December ’23: 1-1 + 2-0 = 3-1 Aggregate Win
South Africa vs the Democratic Republic of the Congo
31 October ’23: 1-1 + 2-0 = 3-1 Aggregate Win
“The team did everything we asked them to do to get the result, we knew South Africa had to come at us, we respected their strength and we respected their team very much, we knew what their qualities were,” said the Super Falcons head coach, Randy Waldrum.
Zambia overcame a 3-2 first leg loss at home to claim their qualifier against Morocco 4-3 on Aggregate. Photo: Football Association of Zambia on X
“I think that this is our seventh or eighth clean sheet in our last eight or nine games, we have been very good defensively. I have always felt strongly about that and with some work, we will get better on the offensive side, which I know everybody is asking for but we need some time to get our players together.
“I’m extremely excited, I know how much it means to the fans in Nigeria and the NFF (Nigerian Football Federation), to not have qualified for 16 years, so to them, I am very thankful and appreciate the support”
Super Falcons Head Coach Randy Waldrum on X
Meanwhile, Zambia are also on cloud nine as they managed to overcome a strong Morocco side to secure their spot in Paris. Having lost the first leg 2-1 to the Atlas Lionesses, the Copper Queens put in a stunning effort to win Tuesday’s tie 2-0.
It was none other than Barbra Banda who helped Zambia seal the aggregate win to see them through to make back-to-back appearances at the Olympics.
The Copper Queens have qualified in Group B and will have their fair share of tests as they are set to come up against women’s football powerhouse USA as well as Germany and Australia, who turned out to be the surprise package at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Banda, who is also the Orlando Pride forward, had a simple message after the match as she shared a picture on X from the tie which said:
“It’s done. We are going to Paris.”
Zambia Women’s Football Striker, Barbra Banda
Group A has no African teams in competition, and sees France Columbia, Canada, and New Zealand will go head-to-head in this global sport spectacle later this year.
Main Photo Caption: The road to Olympic qualification may have come to an end for Banyana Banyana but there are still two African teams who will be at the Games in Paris who will certainly want to make the continent proud when the event gets underway later this year. Photo: CAF Women’s Football on X
Photo 2 Caption: The Super Falcons forced a draw in South Africa to win the qualifier 1-nil on aggregate after their opening leg win. Photo: CAF Women’s Football on X
Photo 3 Caption: Zambia overcame a 3-2 first leg loss at home to claim their qualifier against Morocco 4-3 on Aggregate. Photo: Football Association of Zambia on X
Photo 4 Caption: Copper Queens have qualified in Group B and will face women’s football powerhouses USA, Germany and Australia – who turned out to be the surprise package at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Photo: Football Association of Zambia on X
Source link : https://gsport.co.za/nigeria-and-zambia-to-fly-african-flag-at-the-paris-2024-olympic-games/
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Publish date : 2024-04-12 07:00:00
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