The South African Football Association (SAFA) has informed the public that the Banyana Banyana’s crucial match against Nigeria’s Super Falcons will not be broadcast live on SABC.  

SAFA said that is due to the association having failed to secure the feed in Nigeria, leading to the SABC, the association broadcast’s partner, not being able to show the match.  

Banyana faces Nigeria in the all-important match against the Super Falcons at MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja tonight (18:00), which will be the first leg of the 2024 Olympic Games qualifiers in the CAF zone.  

“The South African Football Association (SAFA) wishes to communicate that the away first leg Olympic qualifier between Banyana Banyana and the Super Falcons of Nigeria in Abuja on Friday afternoon will not be broadcast live on the SABC,” said SAFA statement. 

“We were not able to (secure) the feed from the host broadcaster in Nigeria on a reciprocal basis that would have been shared with our partner in South Africa, the SABC. This means the match cannot be broadcast in South Africa as we rely on agreements that our hosts have, if and when they broadcast their matches and share our broadcast feed when we host our matches.”  

While SAFA could not secure the rights to show the match on the SABC, they said they are open to sharing the feed with the said broadcaster for Nigerian people for the second leg on Tuesday. 

“We will endeavor to share our home feed with Nigeria when we host them on Tuesday 9th April 2024,” added SAFA in a statement. The winner of two-legged tie will qualifier for the Olympic Games.

Banyana coach Desiree Ellis, who said she wants to tick this box to lead the ladies to the Olympic Games in France, has announced her squad to face the Super Falcons.  

Banyana starting line-up: Swart; Dhlamini, Gamede, Matlou, Makhubela; Jane (c), Ramalepe, Motlhalo, Magaia; Seoposenwe, Kgatlana 

Subs: Magama, Cesane, Salgado, Mbane, Kgaole, Ngobeni, Holweni, Mhlongo, Mthandi, Moletsane, Matau