The South African women’s national soccer team is on the verge of making history — they look set to be the first soccer team from this country to beat Nigeria.
The closest any team has come to defeating Nigeria was Ghana’s women’s team, which drew 1-1 with the Super Falcons in the Olympic qualifiers, only to lose 3-1 in a penalty shootout. Banyana have been here before — but every time they have been on the verge of achieving something great they have been defeated by Nigeria.Â
First it was the African Women’s Championship in 2002 where South Africa were beaten by Nigeria, then it was the All Africa Games where South Africa again failed to win gold because of the Super Falcons. Then there was the Women’s World cup were Nigeria again triumphed.
Only one African women’s team can qualify for the Olympics. Nigeria represented the continent in 2000. Banyana coach Gregory Mashilo said: ‘This is a make-or-break game for the South African women’s team.â€Â Â
But there is a glimmer of hope. In the first leg Banyana came from behind, when Nigeria were leading 2-0, to score two goals, thus drawing against the Super Falcons.
Mashilo said: ‘We are going to fight and whatever happens in the game the best team will win.†Former Banyana coach, now team manager, Fran Hilton Smith said: ‘We are going there to win.â€Â
Banyana cannot afford a draw in this match — they need to go all out for a clear win. The team’s biggest obstacles are not simply the 11 Nigerian players, but the fans backing the Super Falcons in their quest to qualify for the Olympics in Athens, Greece, starting in August.