Coach of the Super Falcons of Nigeria, Randy Waldrum, has warned his team to be wary of the threat the Banyana Banyana of South Africa pose as they lock horns in the final round of the Paris 2024 Olympics qualifiers, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 67-year-old tactician returned to the Super Falcons dugout after his contract with the NFF was resolved. He was in charge as Nigeria only just defeated Cameroon over two legs, thanks to a lone goal from Esther Okoronkwo which took Nigeria into the final round of qualification.
The eleven-time WAFCON winners will take on Desiree Ellis's South Africa in a two-legged tie, hoping for a victory in a bid to seal a spot at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Speaking ahead of the game against the 2022 WAFCON winners, Randy Waldrum played up the attacking threat they pose but maintained trust in the Super Falcons.
“They're a very good side, they're the defending African Champions so we need to have some respect for them. I love some of their talent especially up-front. They're very dangerous and I know their coach does a really good job, but like I said before, I really like our team and I have all the confidence in our players that we'll perform well,” the former Houston Dash manager told NFF TV.
South Africa will be without their first-choice goalkeeper, Andile Dlamini, due to medical reasons. Likewise, Nigeria will be without Ashleigh Plumptre and Oluwatosin Demehin, and to the coach, it is a big loss.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those two important players, because it's a big loss to not have them, and I hope they're okay. We've been working on a plan B, and I think we have players that can come in and do a great job. I have the confidence in our squad,” Waldrum added.
The Super Falcons will host Banyana Banyana in the first leg at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Friday, April 5. The reverse fixture will be held at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Tuesday, April 9.
Whoever emerges victorious from the two-legged tie will be drawn into Group C at the Olympics, joining Spain, Brazil and Japan.
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