Tag: Paris 2024

The Senate  yesterday  passed for second reading,  a bill which seeks to prohibit Nigerian athletes from consuming performance enhancing substances during or after sporting competitions.

President Bola Tinubu had sent a request to the Senate to enactment the law last week through a letter read on the floor by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary.

The bill was titled “National Anti-Doping Bill 2024.”

It was meant to domesticate and enforce in Nigeria, the international convention against doping in sports ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games in France.

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It was also meant to establish the Nigeria anti-doping centre to implement Nigeria’s obligations to the World Anti-Doping Code in conformity with international standards.

The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, in his lead debate explained that the proposed legislation, when signed by President Tinubu, would facilitate the  establishment of an independent body that would be  charged with the responsibility for the implementation of the World Anti-Doping Code, and International standards subscribed to by Nigeria.

Bamidele said it would protect the rights of athletes to participate in doping-free sporting activities.

He also said it would promote fair and equal treatment of all athletes and their health.

Bamidele  said: “It will co-ordinate and harmonise effective sports anti-doping programme at the national and international levels, with regard to detection, deterrence and prevention of doping.

“It will provide measures for the prevention and control of doping in sports.”

He added: “The UNESCO Convention, had, in October, 2011, made an interim arrangement whereby the National Anti-Doping Committee was established.

“However, in legislation, its committee was not backed by legal instrument or legislation, its operation and objectivity remain weak and unattainable.

“As a result, the current administration deemed it necessary to introduce this Bill because of its strategic importance and in recognition of the fact that Nigeria is a sport-loving country.”

“The country has numerous sports enthusiasts, who view sports as an epicentre of unity and togetherness.

“Therefore, it is imperative that the Senate aligns itself with the reasoning of the Executive as this Bill seeks to bring about improvement and ensure fair-play in the sporting environment.”

Senators in their contribution supported the Bill and approved that it be read for a second time when it was put to voice vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Akpabio thereafter referred the Bill to the Senate Committee on Youth and Sports for further legislative work.

Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh  has congratulated  Team Nigeria athletes for their impressive performances  at the World Relays Championship in the Bahamas, as they secured qualification for the 4×400 mixed relays and 4×400 men’s relay events  at  next month’s  Paris  2024 Olympics.

“I am immensely proud of our Team Nigeria athletes for their exceptional performance at the World Relays Championship, which has secured two qualification tickets for the Olympic Games already,” the minister said  in a statement signed by his Special  Assistant Media, Diana-Mary Nsan. “ Their dedication, determination, and resilience have brought honour to our nation, and I congratulate them on this milestone.”

The Nigerian men’s 4x400m quartet of Dubem Nwachukwu, Dubem Amene, Sikiru Adeyemi, and Chidi Okezie  clocked a remarkable time of 3:01.70 to secure qualification for the Olympic Games. This achievement marks the fastest time by a Nigerian male 4x400m team since the Bronze-winning team of James Godday, Musa Audu, Saul Weigopwa, and Enefiok Udo-Obong at the Athens 2004 Olympics.

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In the mixed 4x400m relay event, Team Nigeria’s quartet of Samuel Ogazi, Ella Onojuvwevwo, Chidi Okezie, and Esther Elo Joseph delivered an impressive performance, finishing second in their heat with a time of 3:13.79. This outstanding performance secured their spot at the Olympics for the second consecutive time.

Senator Enoh emphasized the importance of continued hard work and perseverance as Team Nigeria athletes aim for further Olympic qualification tickets in their remaining events.

He expressed confidence in their abilities and encouraged them to strive for excellence as they represent Nigeria on the global stage.

While celebrating  the momentous achievement  in the Bahamas, the minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting and empowering Nigerian athletes to excel in their respective sports, and be in the best shape towards the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Since Clarice Ahanotu (100m, 200m) and Amelia Okoli (high jump) became the first women to represent Nigeria at the Olympics in 1964, not only has the number of women donning the colours of Nigeria at the world’s foremost sporting event increased in participation and across other sports, they have gone on to achieve many memorable moments for the country. OLUWAMAYOMIKUN OREKOYA writes

From Chioma Ajunwa maiden gold medal for the country at the Long Jump in Atlanta 1996 – to Mary Onyali and her teammates’ over exuberant celebrations after the quartet clinched the bronze medal at the 100m relays in Barcelona 1992, Nigerian women have lighted up the global stage for the country. 

Coincidentally, Nigeria’s two medals at the last edition in Tokyo were won by women. Ese Brume, who has also qualified for the Paris games, won a bronze medal at the Long Jump event while the eternal Blessing Oborodudu won a silver in wrestling, Nigeria’s first medal at the event. 

There were no women in the first three Olympics games Nigeria participated but since Clarice Ahanotu and Amelia Okoli’s maiden appearance in 1964, the number of women participants has grown in leaps and bounds. 

As at the time of writing, out of the 54 Nigerians on the plane to Paris, only nine are men. While basketball and football take a large chunk of women participants only athletics (five men, four women) and boxing (two men, one woman) has men having more numbers. There would be no male athlete representing the country at the Taekwondo, weightlifting, cycling and canoeing events. 

Football

The Super Falcons of Nigeria recently secured their tickets to play at the 2024 Olympics after a 16 year absence from the tournament. 

They have been drawn  in the same group with Spain, Brazil, and Japan, and will be hoping to deliver an exciting performance in a group that has been labelled as a group of death.

The Super Falcons have been unbeaten in their last eight games, winning three games and drawing two in their last five games.

Despite being unbeaten in their last eight games, Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum believes the 11-time WAFCON champions still need to improve.

 “I certainly think there’s things we can do better,” The American said. 

“You know, I think between coaching staff, between the NFF, I think we could just get a little bit more support in some of the areas that we need it. Then I think this team, as I said, after the World Cup, can be one of the best teams in the world”.

Basketball

The national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, are poised for their second consecutive appearance at the Games after participating in the 2020 Tokyo edition and would need to work very hard to excel in their Group B which includes the host France Canada and Australia. 

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The President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), the governing body for basketball in Nigeria, Musa Kida recently disclosed that the team will have adequate preparation ahead of the summer Olympic games, adding that there were plans for three phases of camping for the Nigerian girls.

“There would be reparation camping in Nigeria to Ghana with the pool that we have within the country.

 “The second camp will be in the US for the people who are playing in the US and the environments there. And then the last part of the camp which would be for the selected team basically.

“So we have three phases that we are looking at. And I think with that kind of preparation, we do hope that our performance will be more outstanding than the last time that we went to the Olympics,” he said.

Canoeing

For Beauty Otuedo, her journey in canoeing has been far from easy.

The Bayelsa State-born canoeist started her journey in 2015, but a bout of depression connected with the sport had her quit for two years. 

But in 2018, with the help of her elder brother Goodluck Gbamire as her coach, Otuedo decided to give canoeing one last shot and her perseverance was rewarded with victory at the Canoe Sprint African Olympic Qualifier in November.

“I participated in several national competitions including the African Admiral Porbeni Event and won bronze,” Otuedo told Olympics.com of her comeback.

Competing alongside Ayomide Bello, the Nigerian duo took just 2.24.45 seconds to seal top spot in the women’s C2 500m category on home water at Jabi Lake, securing an Olympic quota for Paris 2024.

 “I am so happy achieving this,” Otuedo said after. “The time I recorded in most of the events wasn’t my best. I believe the lack of training ahead of the competition affected me but God was kind and we qualified”.

A born fighter, Otuedo firmly believed in going the extra mile to achieve her Olympics dreams and had to use her own funds in order to keep training.

Despite not being able to secure external funding, the duo stepped up to secure a C2 Women’s 500m Olympic quota despite their very limited training opportunities.

 “Otuedo is a strong girl and a reliable partner. This wasn’t our first time competing in C2 500M and I am glad God came through for us” Bello said.

“Otuedo is a very obedient athlete when it comes to training and she listens,” Ebenezer Ukwunna, Technical Director of the Nigeria Rowing, Canoe & Sailing Federation, said.

Olubunmi Ola-Oluode, Secretary General of the Nigerian Rowing, Canoe and Sailing Federation (NRCSF) concurred.

 “Otuedo is calm and collected, a go-getter, and a driving force,” she added.

Cycling

In the 19th  Confederation of African Cycling African (CAC) Road Championships in Accra, Ghana last year, Ese Ukpeseraye became the first Nigerian to qualify for an Olympic Cycling event when she won the gold medal in the Elite Women Road Race.

The Delta-born cyclist beat 47 other cyclists in the 72km race with a time of 2 hours and 36 minutes ahead of Bamago Awa of Burkina Faso and Lucie De Marigny Lagessa of Mauritius who picked the silver and bronze respectively.

She would go on to win a silver and bronze medal at the recent Africa Games also held in Accra. 

Wrestling

In the wrestling event, out of six Nigerian wrestlers that earned Olympic qualification, five are women. The women would be led by Odunayo Adekuoroye who is almost certain of a podium finish as she is currently among the top wrestlers in the Women’s 57kg weight class. The three-time Commonwealth Games champion would be joined in Paris with Blessing Oborodudu (68kg); Hannah Reuben (76kg) Esther Kolawole (62kg) and Christiana Ogunsanya (53kg). 

Former Olympic Gold medallist and President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Dr Daniel Igali confirmed that Nigeria is the only country that has five female players qualifying for Paris 2024 and ensured Nigerians that the board is focused on an eventful tournament, adding that to win gold medals with the wrestlers at the Olympics would be the icing on the federation’s cake. 

 “The board of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation is working hard to have an eventful outing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” Igali said in Lagos in a recent interview. 

 “It would be a thing of joy to see a Nigerian win gold and our national anthem played. We will keep working for the growth of the sport,”

Boxing 

Cynthia Ogunsemilore will become the second Nigerian woman to earn a qualification spot for an Olympics, after Edith Ogoke at London 2012. The 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medalist was unbeaten at the Olympics qualifiers in Dakar, Senegal after winning the final against Algerian Khelif Hadjila, performances that went above and beyond her own expectations.

 “After the Commonwealth Games, I said, ‘if my country should call me for the Olympics Qualifier, I was sure I would qualify.’

“And after winning the Trials I promised that I would come here not to play but to qualify and show that I am not the type of girl they thought I was and that there are people from Bariga that are good and talented.”

Securing an Olympic qualification berth as a finalist in her weight category was a thrill of her lifetime.

 “I had it in my dreams that I wanted to go to the Olympics, and I wanted to be an Olympian….but you know, I always thought I would just be picked and go to the Olympics direct. Not knowing that I was going to face some challenges in and out of the ring.

“In Paris, I now believe I can be the Olympic champion. I will go back home and train even harder.”

Gambia’s Gina Bass is the ideal athlete. In her country, she is seen as a messianic figure who had come to save what felt like a “failing” sport a few years ago and she has lived up to that quite well.

The sprinter is Gambia’s most popular athlete. With so many continental honours to her name, she has now set her sights on replicating that level of winning at the Olympic Games in Paris.

When Bass crossed the 200m finish line at the recent Continental Games, she quickly fixated her eyes on the clock that hang high up over the Legon Stadium in Accra. She had finished first and won the gold medal, but the celebration was muted: all she cared about was the time. Then it came up… 23.13s.

It was an unpleasant cocktail of ebullience and mild chagrin. In 2019, she had run faster (22.58s) to win the gold medal so she knew it could’ve been better. Then again, the 200m race in Ghana was only her first outdoor race of the season. The time mattered, yet it didn’t matter. She let out a wry smile and then proceeded to congratulate her competitors on the track before draping herself in her country’s flag.

Bass also won the women’s 100m for the sprint double. “It has motivated young athletes that are really doing their very best to come up. I know it’s not easy,” she told Olympics.com.

 “My country is such that we like sports. We really have talented athletes, not just me but lots are and will be great athletes. I really wish one day one athlete will [achieve] more than me in my country. Because I see many talented athletes in Gambia,” she reflected.

Bass’ name may be on the lips of many Gambians and lovers of track and field across the African continent now. It is a far cry from where she was a few years ago when many including her countrymen nicknamed her ”The Poorest Olympian”.

Bass comes from Tubakuta, Gambia, southwest of the capital Banjul. Her family moved around a bit, but given an innate love for athletics, Bass expressed her love for it everywhere she moved to.

She started out early, first at primary school level and then junior high school in Brikama, a larger town near Tubakuta. “I started running when I was in primary school, like we have Junior Championships.

 “It’s where I started running and it’s where I started to notice that, if I work hard I will be a great athlete,” she said.

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She achieved the qualifying time for the inaugural Summer Youth Olympic Games Singapore 2010 but participation in it was reserved for athletes born between January 1993 and December 1994. That meant Bass, born in May 1995, was too young to compete at that competition.

Aged 16, she ran for her country at the 2011 World Youth Championships, an under-18 competition, where she finished sixth in her 100m heat with a time of 12.44s.

Stories of role models usually shape careers, but in Bass’s case, there weren’t too many successful Gambian female athletes to look up to in sport so she had to look outside of her country.

Côte d’Ivoire’s Murielle Ahoure was who she settled on, and it came as a big surprise to her in 2020 when she beat her role model in the 60m dash at a World Athletics Indoor Tour meet by just 0.01s.

And then there is her unforgettable Olympic adventure.

Bass made her first appearance at the Games at Rio 2016. At 21, she had broken two Gambian national records and become the first female athlete from the country to qualify for the Olympic Games.

Rio was an eye-opening experience for the young athlete, who ran only in the 200m at the Games and finished with a time of 23.43s, which was slower than the 22.92s she had ran to win bronze at the African Championships in Durban two months prior. “It was not easy because I met people who were ahead of me. They had more experience I was just coming off the junior level to senior level. What mattered most to me was that I qualified,” she explained with a smile.

Bass did not make it to the semi-finals at the Games, but even “getting to Rio is what I call experience,” she pointed out. “Because of that, I had experience to work hard and to work on myself.”

Tokyo 2020 came around in 2021 and Bass was there again, this time with the aim of reaching a step higher than she had done in Rio five years earlier. In Japan, she was ready. She ran 11.16 in the 100m and then 22.68 in the 200m, reaching the semi-finals in both events.

But despite running what felt like the races of her life, she was left a little disheartened by not making the finals. “I was disappointed because you see I was in shape by then, and I didn’t make it to the final. But it’s part of sports. Sometimes you expect to be somewhere else when it’s not yet time.

 “Some people are there for so many decades but they can’t reach the final. Being there, I was my objective to be in the semis which I had made it. So if I was in the final it would have been a plus for me.”

The Olympic Games Paris 2024 is an opportunity for Bass to put her disappointments behind her and focus on reaching the final of both races. Despite winning double gold in Accra, the Olympic Games presents a much bigger test for the Gambian and she has already set her sights on the track in the French capital.

 “I feel good. I closed my season last year with 11.0s. This year, I have to run in the region of 10.9; that’s the main objective. So I just have to focus and relax, work on the problems I have in my races with my coach, and just hope for the best.”

The history of sport in the Gambia cannot be written without Gina Bass. Her name cannot be excluded from a conversation of who the best athletes from her country are.

She is the second Gambian athlete in history to clock the qualification standard for an Olympic Games, after Suwaibou Sanneh who qualified for the 100m race at the Olympic Games London 2012.

Powerful African women have for many years inspired a sense of pride for many young girls across the continent. Now Gina Bass is on this path too, inspiring children and young athletes from her country and continent one race at a time.

Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has announced plans to ensure the early release of funds in preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, underscoring the ministry’s commitment to supporting Nigerian athletes on the world stage.

Senator Enoh emphasized the importance of securing funding in a timely manner to facilitate comprehensive preparations for the Olympic Games. He added that the ministry will actively pursue partnerships with private individuals and the corporate sector to bolster financial support and ensure that athletes are set up for success.

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Drawing from the successful model implemented during the African Games, where all athletes were insured, he affirmed the ministry’s commitment to safeguarding the well-being of Olympians. Plans are underway to provide insurance coverage for Team Nigeria athletes to mitigate risks associated with injuries and unforeseen circumstances, reflecting a proactive approach to athlete welfare.

Highlighting the ministry’s dedication to nurturing talent and fostering a conducive environment for athletic excellence,  he announced plans to implement salaries for grade A athletes. This initiative aims to provide ongoing support and motivation to athletes as they prepare for the Games, enabling them to focus on their training and performance without financial constraints.

He  further  expressed confidence in Nigeria’s athletes and their potential to achieve success at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. 

• FIFA picked 12 African officials

Nigeria Referee Association (NRA) said there was no point  to lament exclusion of its men  as officials to the forthcoming Olympic Football Tournaments (OFT) Paris 2024.

 The FIFA Referees Committee has unveiled  total  of 89 officials across the globe including  12  from Africa but sans any Nigerian for both the men’s  and women’s  OFT  at Paris 2024  Olympic Games.

Yet the Public Relation officer (PRO) of the NRA, Kelechi Imejuobi, said being listed by FIFA as officials for any international tournament  is not a birthright,  adding the body is working assiduously  at ensuring that Nigeria is represented at such levels in the nearest future.

“ It is not a must that Nigerian officials must be picked  automatically  for Paris 2024 Olympic Football Tournaments,” Imejuobi told NationSports.  “ When we have the materials, they would surely make such list.

“ If you look at the list, Nigeria is not the only country from Africa  that has no official for Paris 2024 but we are also working round the clock  and I believe  we shall soon get  the materials capable to handle matches at that level.

“ At the last  Olympic Football Tournaments (delayed Tokyo 2022), we had a Nigerian, a female as one of the officials and that means, we have to keep working to  have Nigerians on such list; and we are working,” he added. 

Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football(CAF) has applauded the appointment of the 12 Africans selected by FIFA  for the Paris 2024 OFT, adding ‘it demonstrated the continent’s expertise and contribution to the international football stage’ even as the soccer ruling body has promised  to prepare its contingent well.

The African Referees listed for Paris 2024  OFT include Dahane Beida From Mauritania, Mahmood Ali M.  Ismail From Sudan, And Bouchra Karboubi From Morocco.

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Assistant Referees From Africa Include Liban Abdoulrazack Ahmed from Djibouti, Diana Chikotesha from Zambia, Fatiha Jermoumi from Morocco, Elvis from Cameroon Noupue , Jerson Emiliano Dos Santos  from Angola, and Stephen Yiembe from Kenya.In the video match officials category is the duo of  Mahmoud Ashour from Egypt and Lahlou Benbraham from Algeria while Shamirah Nabadda from Uganda will provide support as part of the match officials’ team.

 “These African match officials will undergo rigorous preparation and will continue to receive close monitoring and support from a team of FIFA technical trainers, including referees and video assistant referee (VAR) instructors,”CAF noted on its website. “Additionally, match analysts, fitness coaches, physiotherapists, and sports scientists are poised to provide the officials with guidance and support throughout the Olympic Games.

 “The inclusion of these African match officials underscores the continent’s rich refereeing talent and their readiness to officiate on the global stage.”

While  the women’s tournament is scheduled to kick off on July 25, 2024, culminating with the gold medal match at the Parc des Princes in Paris on August 10, the men’s competition will commence on July 24, 2024, with the final match set for August 9, 2024, also at the Parc des Princes.

Five Female wrestlers for Paris 2024

President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Dr. Daniel Igali, has declared that the federation would leave no stone unturned to get one more additional ticket for the federation’s contingent to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Already, six wrestlers made up of five females, namely Odunayo Adekuoroye (57kg); Blessing Oborodudu (68kg); Hannah Reuben (76kg) Esther Kolawole (62kg) and Christiana Ogunsanya (53kg) as well as one male, American-born Plateau State’s Ashton Mutuwa, have secured their tickets to the forthcoming quadriennial event.

But Igali said the NWF is working to ensure that another female wrestler, Mercy Genesis, who narrowly missed qualification recently at the Africa/ Oceania Qualifiers in Alexandria after losing in the 50kg weight class, would have another shot at joining the contingent to Paris 2024 during the next qualification window in Istanbul, Turkey, in May

According to Igali, Nigeria is the only country yet to have qualified five female wrestlers for the Paris 2024, adding that he would be so fulfilled should any of the wrestlers win the ‘much precious’ Olympics’ gold medal.

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“The board of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation is working hard to have an eventful outing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” Igali said in Lagos yesterday on his way to Baku as one of the officials for the European Olympic Qualifying Wrestling Tournament holding between April 5 and 7. “Already, we have five females and one male wrestlers that are through to the Games.

“We had expected Mercy Genesis to secure her place during the last window in Alexandria but she was unlucky. However, she has another chance in Turkey to grab a place at the Olympic Games and, hopefully, she will get it, given her talent and determination.”

Ahead of Paris 2024, Igali, whose tenure as President of NWF elapses in 2025, said his joy would reach no bound should any of the athlete win a gold medal.

“It would be a thing of joy to see a Nigerian win gold and our national anthem played. We will keep working for the growth of the sport,” stated the former wrestling Olympic gold medallist for Canada.

*Oshoala expected Thursday

Super Falcons centre-back Ashleigh Plumptre has been replaced by Jumoke Alani after the Saudi Arabia based defender pulled out of Friday’s Women’s Olympic Qualifying CAF first leg clash with Bayana Bayana of South Africa due to injury.

The Al-Ittihad defender, who only returned to the Super Falcons after a short break, has been replaced by 18-year-old Edo Queens right-back Jumoke Alani, as the team begins preparations for the crucial tie at Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

Alani is not new to the Super Falcons fold, having made her debut as a late replacement for Glory Ogbonna in their international friendly 2-0 defeat to Japan at NOEVIR Stadium, Kobe on 6th October 2022.

Before graduating to the senior team, Alani earned her stripes with the U20 team, featuring in all four matches involving the Falconets at the 2022 U20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica from August 10–28 in 2022.

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Meanwhile, players have started arriving at the team’s Abuja camp site, with Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, Tochukwu Oluehi and Jumoke Alani as the early birds.

South Africa arrived in the country on Sunday and had their first training at a designated venue yesterday.

Meanwhile, Asisat Oshoala, is certain to be the last invitee to hit the Super Falcons’ training camp in Abuja ahead of the Friday’s 2024 Paris Olympics showdown against South Africa.

Bay FC star Oshoala is expected to arrive camp Thursday, barely a day before the Olympic playoff with the Banyana Banyana.

Already in camp are coach Randy Waldrum, who jetted in Sunday, same as Rasheedat Ajibade, Linda Jiwuaku and Jumoke Alani.

Initial uncertainties surrounded the availability of Waldrum, who is also coach of University of Pittsburg since the American university team are engaged in two crucial games around the same time as the playoffs.

Gift Monday, Tochukwu Oluehi and Okeke Chidinma who arrived late yesterday are due in Abuja today.

Both teams seem evenly poised to secure a result that will make the second leg at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, on Tuesday, April 9, a mere formality.

The winner of this tie will join Brazil, Japan, and Spain in Group C of the Women’s Football Tournament of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris in July and August as one of the two Africa’s representatives.

The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa, is confident Team Nigeria’s track and field squad at the ongoing 13th African Games in Accra, Ghana, will surpass its projection.

“I think we will surpass the target that was put at stake. Our plan is to take the remaining two relays, I pray that it will happen like that and then let’s see what we have in the two that remain,”  Okowa said.

“A lot of our boys that are in school, are very hot, but they are not here. When they join this team, it is going to be difficult for us to select who to represent Nigeria. It is good for such stiff competition among them, but we will get the best possible, we will get the best.” The AFN boss stated.

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He also revealed that the AFN were already working toward the African Championship and the Olympic Games in Paris this summer.

Okowa therefore called for the federation to work hand in hand with the Federal Government in order to get the best out of these talented athletes.

“It is for us to really come together with the Federal Ministry of Sports and I hope they will understand our plight.”

He went further to explain that the Paris Games in July and August is a bigger and tougher competition.

“To prepare for the Olympics is a different ballgame, you have to start early, you have to support the athletes, you have to make sure there is a way to give them little stipends for upkeep, so that they will be able to train.”

The president of CAA Zone 3 added,  “When we meet with the ministry, they will tell us which way to go and that will determine our sources.”

Banyana Banyana head coach, Desiree Ellis, has affirmed that the Super Falcons would find it difficult to beat them over the two legs in the final round of the Paris 2024 Olympic Qualifiers.

Ellis confirmed that the Banyana Banyana have already stepped up their preparations with the invitation of 30 players for the cracker slated for next month.

She confirmed that the invited players would be culled to 23 by the 25th of this month when the camping exercise for the qualifiers would open in South Africa. 

Adding that she is certain she would have players who would be set to face the Super Falcons in the first leg in Abuja on April 5th  before the return leg on April 9th  in Pretoria.

“In games like this you will need players who are ready to give all for the team. If we look at the head to head in lrecord between the two nations, we have only won four games and drew one. Out of the four we have won, three of them have come from 2018 till now. We haven’t lost to the Super Falcons since 2018,” Ellis proudly  said in an interview. “I think our biggest victory against them was at the Aisha Buhari Cup in Lagos and the games at the beginning of AFCONs in 2018 and 2022.”

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Ellis believes her wards  will  put everything they have into the fixture to ensure they mark their third appearance at the Olympics to that of 2012 and 2016 appearances in London and Rio respectively.

“To repeat the same feat we must be in the same category we were when we met them in the past otherwise we would only be known as African Champions,” she said. “Our players have shown that they could step up tremendously to meet up with the challenge they face and I know this one won’t be different.”

South Africa last featured in the Olympic Games’ women’s football event in 2016 in Rio, Brazil while Nigeria are seeking a return to the competition 16 years later when they last participated in 2008 in Beijing , China.