Paris 2024: Kgatlana confident in South Africa’s home victory over Nigeria

Banyana Banyana of South Africa striker Thembi Kgatlana is confident that the favourable conditions at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria will work in favour of her side when they host the Super Falcons of Nigeria for the second leg of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games qualifier on Tuesday.

The Super Falcons, courtesy of Rasheedat Ajibade’s first-half penalty, were victorious in the first leg at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Friday, April 5.

Despite the setback, Kgatlana believes the Banyana Banyana have the edge to turn the tables in their favour and secure a positive result on Tuesday.

In a chat with Safa Media, Kgatlana started by sharing her thoughts on their loss in Nigeria, “I think for us in the first half, we started a bit slow and coming into the second stanza, we were better. That’s the positive we need to take going back home with familiar facilities and knowing what to do in front of our fans.”

On her expectations for the game, the 27-year-old added, “The good thing is [that] this is not a tournament. We know after the game in Pretoria, whoever wins will go through, but they have the advantage after the first leg; there is no away-goal rule.

“I also think that gives us more confidence because we are not chasing the game. We know that we have to win with a better score. We also have an advantage at home with better facilities.”

The Tuesday clash is expected to kick off by 6:30 pm (WAT), with Tunisia’s Dorsaf Ganouati conferred with the responsibility of officiating the proceedings.