'Different roster' - Waldrum insists Banyana Banyana form against Super Falcons counts for nothing 

Super Falcons manager Randy Waldrum was on media duties on Thursday, on the eve of his side's highly anticipated Paris 2024 Olympic Games qualifying match against South Africa's Banyana Banyana at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

Nigeria are seeking to qualify for the Olympic Games for the first time since 2008 and must see off the African champions in a two-legged affair.

The Super Falcons played out a goalless draw with Cameroon in Douala before nipping a 1-0 win in the return leg to set up this meeting with South Africa. 

Banyana Banyana would be brimming with confidence heading into tomorrow's fixture, after registering back-to-back wins against the nine-time African champions.

Waldrum has played down the significance of those victories, stressing that there have been changes to the roster since 2022, including new faces like Liverpool alum Rinsola Babajide, Deborah Abiodun, Esther Okoronkwo, Jennifer Echegini and Chidinma Okeke. 

"I certainly understand the importance of the match. We don't really look back at what's happened the last two matches or really the last ten matches with our opposition because what we've worked with our players is to be present now with what we have," Waldrum told reporters. 

"If you look back at those two matches, if you look at our roster, it was a completely different roster than we've had since the World Cup so I don't think you can put a lot of weight into that.

"Having said that we certainly respect South Africa, we know what they bring, we know the talent they possess, we know they are a great side but we feel very strongly that we are the team to beat.

"We feel very confident going into the match and at this point we are just excited about tomorrow."

Of the twenty-two players listed on the roster for the double header against South Africa, only goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi has previously participated in the Olympic Games with the Super Falcons, dating back to 2008.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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