South Africa’s goalkeeper Kaylin Swart is bullish ahead of Bayana Bayana’s highly anticipated Paris 2024 Olympics women football tournament qualifier against Super Falcons of Nigeria.
The shot-stopper who spoke to CAFOnline ahead of the first leg, Swart who was coach Desiree Ellis’ first choice at the FIFA Women’s World Cup where the team historically made it into the round of 16 says the team is looking forward to facing Nigeria.
“Playing against Nigeria is always a great battle, we are familiar with each other only because we have had battles for many years up until now and this one is no different”.
“I have full confidence in my teammates, and I think if we just stick to our strengths as a team and play for each other, we will get the results we need”, she added.
Assessing the likely opponents they will face at the Olympics if they end up defeating Nigeria in both legs, Kaylin Swart said, “there are massive opportunities for us to show and level up with the best, and I think to be the best we have to compete with the best”.
“African football has evolved so much and knowing that Spain, who are world champions alongside Japan and Brazil could possibly be our opponents is a huge boost”.
“All we need to do is focus on ourselves and prepare well to give us the best possible chance to get results”.
Meanwhile, Morocco will face Tunisia on Wednesday, 28 February at home following their 2-1 away victory in the first leg, while Ghana will be hoping to reverse the 1-0 loss to Zambia when the two sides clash on the same day.
Only five African countries have taken part in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament since its inception in Atlanta in 1996, namely: Nigeria (1996, 2000, 2004, 2008), Cameroon (2012), South Africa (2012, 2016), Zimbabwe (2016) and Zambia (2020).
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