South Africa’s goalkeeper, Kaylin Swart, is gearing up for the final round of qualifiers for the Paris 2024 Olympics against Nigeria. With the first leg set to take place in Nigeria, Swart is confident that playing away first could work in their favor.
Scheduled to play at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja on April 1, South Africa will then host Nigeria for the return leg eight days later. Swart believes that starting with the away leg will help alleviate pressure and build confidence for her team.
Despite the challenges of facing Nigeria’s passionate home support, Swart sees it as a source of motivation rather than intimidation. Drawing on their previous qualifiers against DR Congo and Tanzania, Swart is optimistic about their chances.
“It’s always best to play away first, so I think we have an advantage against Nigeria as well. The last couple of qualifiers against DR Congo and Tanzania were tough, but we managed to score some goals away and came back home with confidence. Playing away first alleviates pressure,” Swart shared with Sowetan Live.
As South Africa prepares to take on Nigeria in this crucial match, Swart’s confidence and strategic mindset could be the key to securing their spot in the Paris 2024 Olympics. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting journey.
