Coach of the Banyana Banyana of South Africa, Desiree Ellis has said her side could have equalised and maybe awarded a penalty in Friday’s Paris 2024 CAF women Olympic qualifiers against the Super Falcons of Nigeria.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Ellis said this during the post-match press briefing shortly after the Super Falcons thrashed the Banyana Banyana of South Africa by a lone goal at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja, Nigeria.
The Super Falcons defeated South Africa by a lone goal after Rasheedat Ajibade converted a penalty kick in the 43rd minute of the match.
Chinwendu Ihezuo was through on goal but was brought down by Noko Matlou inside the area and the centre referee, Algerian Ghada Mehat blew her whistle and pointed straight to the spot in favour of Nigeria.
Outstanding goalkeeper Kaylin Swart had to work overtime to deny the hosts from extending their lead. Despite creating numerous chances for an equaliser, the game ended 1-0 in favour of the Super Falcons.
However, Ellis, speaking during the post-match press briefing, felt South Africa could have been awarded a penalty kick when Nigerian goalie, Chiamaka Nnadozie bumped into Jermaine Seoposenwe in the dying minutes of the game.
“Penalty decided the match. We could have equalised and maybe we could have gotten a penalty when Jermaine was fouled,” the Banyana Banyana gaffer said.
Ellis, nevertheless, praised her players for their efforts in the game and insisted that the game was not over.
“We are still in the game. Look, we said it was going to be a tight game but we are hopeful of overturning this result in the second leg.
“In the first half, we played too far from each other but we despite played what we wanted to play. In the second half, we started creating good chances.
“The game is not over. I am very proud of my team and we will take it back to Pretoria,” Ellis said.
Banyana Banyana will have to give it all in the second leg of the CAF Women’s Olympic qualifier against the Super Falcons of Nigeria.
The two African giants will lock horns for the second leg on 9 April 2024 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria where Coach Ellis’ charges will be hoping to overturn the deficit.