'They didn't cut the grass' - Banyana Banyana's Kgatlana aims dig at NFF, insists Abuja pitch favoured Falcons 

Banyana Banyana are aiming to add to their recent successes by qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. 

However, things are not looking good for the reigning African champions after they were beaten 1-0 by Nigeria's Super Falcons three days ago at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

South Africa know that they have to avoid conceding the first goal in Tuesday evening's mouthwatering clash at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria to stand a chance of qualifying for the Olympic Games. 

Banyana Banyana forward Thembi Kgatlana has aimed a dig at the Nigeria Football Federation for the poor playing surface at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, which hindered the South Africans when it came to keeping the ball on the ground in the first leg.

The Tigres UANL star believes Banyana Banyana can get the job done on Tuesday especially with the favorable pitch conditions at Loftus Versfeld.

"The fact that they didn't cut the grass and they know that we're a team that moves the ball," Kgatlana said to SABC News.

"That's why I said in an earlier question that when we get home with better facilities, we know that the pitch will favour us, the same way the pitch favoured them.

"They are not a team that plays the ball, they are a team that wants to run behind and that's exactly what they do.

"You drop the ball, it doesn't bounce, it just lands on top so that's what they want to do and I think it worked for them but we also have an advantage when we go home to play wit better facilities."

After being absent from three successive editions, the Super Falcons are seeking to qualify for the Olympic Games for the first time since 2008.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: safa.net

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