Palpable tension can be noticed within the Bayana Bayana camp as coach Desiree Ellis hatches plan on how the defeat Nigeria on Tuesday, npflupdates.com reports.
Coach Desiree was within the technical area of the MKO Abiola Stadium Abuja last Friday when her side lost 1-0 to the Super Falcons of Nigeria during their 2024 Olympics play-off.
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Rasheedat Ajibade’s spot-kick late in the firrst-half was the only difference between the two sides.
Ellis who was unhappy with the performance of her players in the first half revealed that they left too many gaps in midfield.
According to the coach, the poor state of the turf of MKO Abiola main bowl was also a limiting factor, as they bow to the superior power of the nine-time African champions.
However, the reigning four-time CAF Women’s Coach of the Year is confident that the reigning African champions can turn things around in Pretoria.
And that can be achieved by taking the game to the Super Falcons and shutting them out.
What coach Desiree Ellis said about the Super Falcons
“We have to look at the footage to see how we can rectify things and how we can be better. We need to score, but we need to be aware to not concede and make sure that we score first to get the game back on at even,” she said to the media.
“It’s now up to us to take the game to them and make sure that we score and also make sure that we are settled in defence and we don’t concede.
“They don’t have to come. They can sit back, but the onus is on us. We are going back to familiar surroundings and we hope to take the game to them.”
Meanwhile, Nigeria coach, Randy Waldrum insists the Super Falcons have no intention of sitting back and defending.
According to the American gaffer, his players will take the fight to the South Africans, and of course prove why they’re ranked the best team in Africa by clinching the Olympics ticket.
“We don’t want to go there to sit, try to defend and hold on to this victory,” he said. “We want to show we’re the best team in Africa and that we’re a better team.
“I thought we showed that in the first leg and want to do that again when we play South Africa next week.
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“I thought we were a bit unfortunate not to have at least two of three goals victory but I think the team played well. I thought we were good defensively considering we had some new players at the back.”
The Super Falcons will do battle with the Bayana Bayana at the Loftus stadium on Tuesday.
