Desiree Ellis, the coach of the South African women’s national team, Banyana Banyana, has shed light on the decision to host the second leg of their Olympic Games qualifier against Nigeria at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on April 9.
With a spot in the Olympics at stake, Ellis revealed the strategic considerations behind the choice of venue.
“We look at the altitudes as well. We have to make sure that we take advantage of that and hopefully that can help us, especially in the first 15-20 minutes or late in the game,” Ellis explained. Loftus Versfeld Stadium, located in Pretoria, sits at a higher altitude than many other venues, and Ellis hopes to leverage this to gain an edge over their opponents.
Ellis emphasized the importance of the first leg of the qualifier, scheduled for April 1, as crucial for setting the tone of the tie. “The first leg is going to be key. The first leg is going to be important for us to get a good result there,” she emphasized. A positive outcome in the away fixture would alleviate pressure on Banyana Banyana heading into the home leg.
Reflecting on past experiences, Ellis recalled a match against Equatorial Guinea where the altitude played a role in tilting the game in their favor. “I remember we played in Johannesburg; we played Equatorial Guinea and we drew 0-0. But in the second half, they were struggling,” she recounted. Drawing from this, Ellis hopes to capitalize on the physical challenge posed by the altitude.
Acknowledging Nigeria’s quality as formidable opponents, Ellis emphasized the need for focus and concentration throughout the match. “There’s no two ways about it and you cannot take it lightly. If you’re not concentrating for the full 90 minutes, you will get punished,” she cautioned.
With meticulous planning and a strategic approach, Banyana Banyana aims to secure their ticket to the 2024 Olympics in Paris, leveraging all available resources to achieve success on the field.
