Nigeria’s talismanic striker, Asisat Oshoala, is set to make her presence felt in the Super Falcons’ lineup as they gear up to face South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in the crucial second leg of the final Olympic qualification round for the Paris 2024 Games.
Initially absent in the first leg encounter, Oshoala’s availability for the pivotal fixture was shrouded in uncertainty, with concerns looming over her fitness following her delayed arrival in Abuja.
However, the prolific forward has received the green light to feature in the return leg, offering a significant boost to Nigeria’s aspirations of securing Olympic qualification.
Oshoala’s last-minute inclusion underscores the importance of her presence in the Super Falcons’ ranks, particularly given her stature as one of Africa’s most formidable strikers.
Despite training separately from her teammates in the lead-up to the fixture, her inclusion injects a sense of optimism and confidence into the Nigerian camp.
Randy Waldrum, the coach of the Super Falcons, refrained from confirming Oshoala’s participation initially, opting to maintain an air of suspense.
However, subsequent developments have indicated a positive turn of events, with local media reports affirming Oshoala’s authorization to feature in the crucial encounter against Banyana Banyana.
Despite securing a narrow 1-0 victory in the first leg, Nigeria remains wary of the challenges posed by their South African counterparts.
The absence of the away goal rule in this Olympic qualifying tournament introduces an element of unpredictability, necessitating a cautious approach from both teams.
With the prospect of extra time and penalties looming in the event of a deadlock over both legs, the stage is set for a gripping showdown as Nigeria and South Africa lock horns in Pretoria this evening at 5:30 p.m. GMT.
As the stakes soar, all eyes will be on Oshoala and her teammates as they strive to clinch their berth in the women’s football tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
