Banyana Banyana captain Janine van Wyk has revealed that today’s semi-final clash against Nigeria is way more than a football match – it is going to be war.
South Africa progressed to the last four following their convincing 5-0 win over Egypt in their last Group A encounter to finish second and book a date with Group B table leaders Nigeria, who registered seven points from three games.
The Super Falcons have been dubbed tournament favourites courtesy of their pedigree at this tournament, which they have won a record seven times. Van Wyk, whose side has peaked at the right time, is keen to finally end their jinx at this level but Nigeria stand in their way.
“The competition starts now and from here on it is war. It is going to be war, war, war… If we want it badly enough, then we have to show it. We have overcome them before and we can do it again,” she told supersport.com.
At the 2012 edition, South Africa stunned Nigeria in a historic 1-0 semi-final win to set up a final against hosts Equatorial Guinea, but Banyana Banyana failed to complete the last hurdle as they succumbed to a 4-0 defeat.
However, Nigeria’s coach, Florence Omagbemi says win or lose, it is just a game.
“We have been at this stage before and we have survived. In fact, we are looking for our eighth African title so I don’t think we want anything more than a win.”
Banyana Banyana are yet to win the continental crown and Van Wyk, who is the most capped player on the current squad with 140 appearances, feels this is the time to finally bag the African title.
