Nigeria women’s coach Randy Marlon Waldrum took a swipe at South Africa, saying they were talking a lot ahead of the two-legged ties of the 2024 Olympic qualifiers in the CAF zone.  

Nigeria shut Banyana to a goalless draw in the second leg at Loftus Stadium in front of the VIPs of South Africa on Tuesday, booking their spot in the Olympic Games that will take place in France in July and August. 

This after they had won the first 1-0 in Abuja on Friday. 

It means South Africa, having failed to win the tie and return to the multi-sport event after missing the previous one, is yet to defeat Nigeria in Mzansi.  

Banyana, who beat Nigeria on the way to winning the WAFCON two years ago, did not trouble the Super Falcons, who did not attack enough too because they knew that a goalless draw was going to be enough.  

They even left out their star striker Asisat Oshoala, who is the reigning Women’s CAF Africa Footballer of the Year, on the bench before coming later in the game. 

“I know South Africa talked a lot before the two matches of how they were going to do this and that,” said Waldrum at the press conference.  

“And we just kept quiet. I felt like I believed in our team, and I knew that we would be a hard team to break down even with their talent. The thing that you hope you can finish the few of the opportunities to advance and I think that is what we did.”  

Nigeria will appear at the Olympic Games for the first time since 2008. 

“I know how much it means to the fans of Nigeria, to the NFF (Nigeria Football Federation), to all the people of Nigeria not to have qualified for 16 years, so, for them, I’m very thankful, happy and I appreciate the support,” Waldrum said.  

As Nigeria has now qualified for the Paris Olympic Games in France, this means Group C has been completed which includes World Cup champions Spain, Japan, and Brazil.