Desiree Ellis, the coach of South Africa’s women’s national football team, Banyana Banyana, is rallying football enthusiasts to turn up in large numbers and pack the Loftus Stadium for the crucial second leg of their final Olympic qualifier against Nigeria’s Super Falcons.
Following their away fixture at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja on April 5th, Banyana Banyana will host the Super Falcons four days later in what promises to be a high-stakes encounter. With a place at the Olympics on the line, Ellis emphasizes the pivotal role that a vibrant and supportive crowd can play in boosting the team’s morale and performance.
Reflecting on the team’s previous match, Ellis acknowledged the positive impact of the home crowd at Mbombela but stressed the need for an even larger and more vocal support base for the upcoming decisive fixture.
Ellis passionately stated, “We need our supporters to come out in full force. Their presence and energy are crucial. We need that extra push from our 12th and 13th players on the field. While we respect our Nigerian counterparts, we want to see the Loftus Stadium painted in our colors, echoing with the cheers of South African fans.”
With the Olympic dream hanging in the balance, Ellis and her squad are counting on the unwavering support of their fans to create a formidable atmosphere and propel them towards securing a historic victory against Nigeria.
