Ellis explains the choice of Loftus Stadium for Banyana and Super Falcons’ finale!

She told SABC Sport on her 61st birthday last week, on the sidelines of the JP Morgan Challenge corporation marathon – a project of the Laureus Sports Foundation.

READ: Tigers reflect on the pressure, support and challenges of Kalahari Conference

Ellis says they will use all the resources they have at their disposal to qualify for the 2024 Olympics.

''We looked at the altitude, we have to make sure that we take advantage of that and hopefully it can help us especially within the first 15/20 into the game,'' said Ellis

The Banyana and Nigeria Olympic qualifier comes at a time when Ellis’ team is riding high on confidence, having won three of their last four meetings against the Super Falcons.

 The former Banyana Banyana captain traces back their turnaround against the Nigerians to when they toppled them on home soil in the Aisha Buhari Cup.

''But I think our biggest turning point was the Aisha Buhari Cup and some of our key players were not available for that fixture, but with the type of football we played - belief set in, and this shows that this team is not afraid of anyone,'' added Ellis.

Both Banyana and Super Falcons missed out on the 2020 Olympics in Japan and Ellis says this adds another spice to this tie.

Banyana were at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics in London and Rio De Janeiro respectively and Nigeria have not been to the Olympics since 2008 Beijing.

''So all of us know what a big game it is, having  missed the 2020 Olympics same with Nigeria, but now who wants it the most?'' concluded Ellis 

Last week, Ellis announced a preliminary squad that will be whittled down to 23 players in the next few days before the team goes to camp.

Leading players who have been out with long-term injuries like captain Refiloe Jane, and reliable center-back Bambanani Mbane are back in the mix for the first time since the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.