South Africa’s national women’s football team, Banyana Banyana, is gearing up for a crucial showdown against the Super Falcons of Nigeria in their quest to secure a spot at the 2024 Olympic Games. Head coach Desiree Ellis is rallying the home fans to pack the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria for the upcoming qualifier.

The two-legged contest will see Banyana Banyana travel to the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja for the first leg on April 5, before returning home to face Nigeria in the second leg just four days later. The stakes are high, with the winner booking a ticket to the prestigious women’s football event at the Olympics.

Ellis emphasized the importance of a full-capacity stadium, urging South African supporters to come out in full force. She highlighted the impact of a passionate crowd, referring to them as the team’s “12th and 13th players.” The coach stressed the need for local fans to outnumber Nigerian supporters, citing the positive influence of home support during the COSAFA Cup.

“We need that 12th and 13th player,” Ellis stated in an interview with SABC Sports. “We urged fans to come out in their numbers. It is going to be really important and obviously playing in an away country, we know how passionate they are about football.”

As the countdown to the Olympic qualifier begins, all eyes are on Banyana Banyana as they aim to make history and secure their spot on the global stage. The team is counting on the unwavering support of their fans to propel them to victory and fulfill their Olympic dreams.