Banyana Banyana goalkeepers, Kaylin Swart has admitted that playing against Nigeria’s Super Falcons is always like a battle even as she is expected to play a key figure when the reigning African champions take on Nigeria in the third and final round of the Paris 2024 Olympics Qualifier on Friday, April 5 and 9 in a two-legged affair.
The Super Falcons are South Africa’s longstanding rivals and with a place at the Olympics at stake, the two-legged qualifier promises to be a highly tactical, but thrilling affair.
Speaking to CAFOnline ahead of the first leg, Swart who was coach Desiree Ellis’ first choice at the FIFA Women’s World Cup where the team historically made it into the round of 16 says the team is looking forward to facing Nigeria.
“Playing against Nigeria is always a great battle, we are familiar with each other only because we have had battles for many years up until now and this one is no different. I have full confidence in my teammates, and I think if we just stick to our strengths as a team and play for each other, we will get the results we need,” she said.
On her personal progress as a goalkeeper before and after the 2023 World Cup, she said: “I have grown so much over the years and leading up to the World Cup in 2023, I had to make a lot of changes and sacrifices in order to perform at my best with the help of my coaches. Ultimately it came down to working on myself and my well-being so that has given me so much confidence and belief that I can be the best and I thrive to be the best every day.
As South Africa is now considered a powerhouse in African football, Swart added: “We as a national team have grown so much over the years, and every obstacle we faced helped us grow day by day. The main thing that led us to where we are now is that the unity and chemistry in this team is second to none, combined with the individual brilliance of our players and the overall growth of women’s football in our country.”