The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has lamented the Super Falcons’ poor treatment at the hands of the South African FA following Tuesday’s Olympics qualifier in Pretoria, Soccernet.ng reports.
Nigeria battled to a goalless draw with South Africa in Pretoria on Tuesday night to claim an aggregate victory in their final qualifying match for the 2024 Olympic Games.
The Super Falcons had defeated the Banyana Banyana 1-0 in Abuja four days earlier in the first leg, courtesy of a fine Rasheedat Ajibade penalty.
South Africa, reigning African champions, were confident of overturning Nigeria’s slim advantage in the return leg.
However, the Super put up an impressive defensive display to keep out the Banyana and secure qualification to the Olympics for the first time since 2008.
Disappointed that their Olympic dreams were shattered, South Africa abandoned Nigeria after the referee’s final whistle.
According to the NFF, the South African FA denied the Super Falcons the use of the team bus anywhere else apart from their hotel and also took away their security personnel.
“SAFA officials made it clear that we were thenceforth on our own,” as per NFF’s Director of Competitions, Ruth David.
“They said the bus would not move us to anywhere again, that their responsibilities ended with the final whistle. They only took us back to the hotel and no longer detailed security personnel for the delegation.
“We must commend the Charge d’Affaires in the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, Mr. Alexander Tope Ajayi, for all his efforts. He made the team feel comfortable and at home right from our arrival, organized dinner for the team, and mobilized and provided transport for Nigerians based in Pretoria to come to the stadium and support the team. He also organized transport and saw the team off to the airport on departure.”
Despite the poor South African treatment, several Super Falcons players and head coach Randy Waldrum have departed South Africa for their different bases.
It has also been confirmed that eight players and the other team officials flew back to Lagos on Wednesday night aboard a South African Airways flight.
Nigeria will face Brazil, Japan, and world champions Spain in Group C of this year’s Olympic Tournament.
