South Africa’s women’s football team, Banyana Banyana, are in full training mode as they gear up for their critical final Paris 2024 Olympic qualifying match against their arch-rivals, Nigeria’s Super Falcons.

The Banyana Banyana squad arrived in Nigeria on Sunday, settling in ahead of the first-leg clash at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja this Friday.

Also read: Inter Lagos defender Oluwafemi Ladeinde dreams NPFL promotion

Acclimatization to the Nigerian heat, which is significantly warmer than South Africa’s current climate, is a key focus for the team.

Banyana Banyana aims to secure a positive result in Nigeria and then solidify their place in Paris with a home-crowd advantage in the return leg four days later.

Goalkeeper Kaylin Swart expressed the team’s determination and focus on adapting to the challenging weather conditions. “The extra days to adjust to the heat are beneficial,” Swart said. “Everyone’s excited, the team spirit is strong, and we’re ready to give it our all.”

Swart acknowledges the growth in both teams but believes Banyana Banyana has matured and gained confidence. “There will be an element of surprise,” she said. “We expect a strong Nigerian attack, but we can grind out a result, and hopefully, it will be in our favor.”