Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis says her team wants to be “on that plane” to the Olympic Games that will be held in France’s capital in Paris in July and August.  

However, for that plane to be booked and have the stickers of South Africa, the reigning Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will have to beat Nigeria by more than two goals at Loftus Stadium in the second leg on Tuesday (19:30).  

Banyana lost 1-0 in the first leg of CAF zone Olympic qualifiers in Nigeria on Friday, with Ajibade Busayo scoring a penalty just before halftime following a clumsy challenge by veteran Noko Matlou.  

As Ellis described the match as a do-or-die as the winner will qualify for the Olympic Games, this is a clash of all clashes as it is two best nations from Africa who reached the FIFA Women’s World Cup round of 16 and two teams who have won the last two WAFCON championship, facing each other in one final. 

“We always knew it was a two-legged match,” Ellis said. 

“We wanted to get a positive result and it didn’t happen. But I thought we played better in the second half than in the first half. If we can build on from that – we are a ball-playing team, we created some opportunities in Nigeria, we all know it is a big match, we all know that the winner of the two legs ultimately goes to the Olympics and we want to be on that plane. 

“So, for us, it’s a game where we must put everything because there are no second chances. It’s a game we must score, try and get a goal as early as we can.  

“But we know that we are coming up against a team that is leading 1-0 and we must be ready for every eventuality in the way we think they might play. But it is a do-or-die match, there is no second chance and we must go for it.”     

Sinoxolo Cesane, who could not be with the team in Abuja, has joined the team in South Africa.  

“It was unfortunate Sinoxolo couldn’t come, she had Visa issues to travel,” explained Ellis of her star player. 

“But we have her for the second leg, and she has shown in Mexico that she can score goals and it is goals that we need… 

“It’s going to be a game that will have no room for error, it’s going to be a game where we throw everything at them. It will be a game where we must be victorious, and we also ask the fans to come in numbers (to support).”