20 March 2024 – Banyana Banyana now know what awaits them at this year’s Paris Olympic Games after the draw for the men’s and women’s football groups was conducted in the French capital on Wednesday.
Coach Desiree Ellis’ charges face rivals Nigeria in a highly anticipated Fourth Round CAF Women’s Olympic qualifier next month and the winner of this match will compete in Group C at the Paris Games. The tough group includes Spain, Japan and Brazil.
The Sasol-sponsored side face the Super Falcons in Nigeria on 5 April before welcoming their traditional rivals at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on 9 April 2024.
It is a match that has fans in both countries rubbing their hands together in anticipation as it will resume a rivalry that goes back several years. Ellis announced a preliminary 30-member squad a few days ago and the team will go into camp on 25 March 2024 in preparation for the showdown against their long-time rivals.
The final 23-player squad for the Olympic qualifier will be finalised when Ellis names the team in the coming days.