Banyana Banyana star, Thembi Kgatlana, has spoken out against the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) following their recent 1-0 defeat at MKO Abiola National Stadium.
In the first leg of their crucial Olympic Games qualifying tie against the Super Falcons, South Africa suffered a narrow loss, with Nigeria securing a 1-0 home win. With the return leg looming, Kgatlana has expressed her frustration with the playing conditions at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
Kgatlana criticized the NFF for allegedly failing to prepare the playing surface adequately, suggesting that the unkempt grass hindered South Africa’s ability to maintain possession and play their usual passing game.
Speaking to SABC News, Kgatlana remarked, “The fact that they didn’t cut the grass and they know that we’re a team that moves the ball… When we get home with better facilities, we know that the pitch will favor us, the same way the pitch favored them.”
Highlighting the impact of the pitch conditions on the style of play, Kgatlana emphasized the contrast between Nigeria’s direct approach and South Africa’s possession-based game.
“They are not a team that plays the ball, they are a team that wants to run behind, and that’s exactly what they do,” Kgatlana explained. “You drop the ball, it doesn’t bounce, it just lands on top so that’s what they want to do, and I think it worked for them.”
Despite the setback in the first leg, Kgatlana remains optimistic about South Africa’s chances in the return leg at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. She believes that playing on a better surface will provide Banyana Banyana with an advantage and enable them to showcase their strengths.
