The nine-time African champions were stunned by the South African ladies by a well-worked game plan
South Africa coach Desire Ellis has revealed that they were able to claim the 2-1 victory against the Super Falcons by stopping them from playing free-flowing football.
The nine-time African champions were stunned in their opening fixture of the 2022 Women Africa Cup of Nations. The first half was a drab affair with both teams struggling to carve out clear-cut chances.
However, the second half was better, but it was the Banyana Banyana who rose to the plate.
Two quick-fire goals from Jermaine Seopesenwe and Hilda Magaia put the South Africans in front. Rssheedat Ajibade pulled one back in stoppage time, but it was too late.
The Super Falcons were poor on the night failing to connect passes and constantly playing hopeful long ball.
The South African gaffer believes that Nigeria's poor and discordant performance was because of her team's proper game plan.
“We forced them to play long balls,” Ellis said at the post-match presser as per OgaNla media.
“We knew we can force them to make mistakes at the back which they did, the players deliver our plans.”
The loss to South Africa ensures back-to-back losses for the Super Falcons against the Banyana Banyana.
Nonetheless, they would look to make up for the disappointment when they square off against Botswana and Burundi in their last remaining fixtures of the group stage
