Noko Matlou optimistic Banyana Banyana will qualify for the Olympics

Banyana will face Nigeria in the fourth and final round of the Olympic Qualifiers on the 1st of April.

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Speaking to SABC Sport, Matlou is confident that they will make it to the Games after missing out on the last Olympics in Tokyo.

''I believe we have a chance to qualify for the Olympics, I do believe we will qualify,'' said Matlou. 

The last time these two nations met in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Group stage clash in 2022, Banyana won 2-1.

Matlou believes they will overcome the Super Falcons again.

''We played Nigeria a few times, and we won the last four games we played against them -  favour is on our side, we will do well against Nigeria,'' added Matlou. 

Meanwhile, the 2024 Hollywoodbets Super League season started on the 2nd of March and already 51 goals have been scored and the 38-year-old believes this is proof that women’s football is growing in South Africa.

''We are grateful for the Hollywoodbets Super League, we can see the results and the growth of women's football. You can even see with the players that get call ups for the national team,'' said Matlou.

Banyana coach Desiree Ellis mentioned to the media during the Hollywoodbets Super League launch that it is becoming harder and harder for her to select players for the national team because of how women’s football has grown in the country, the Limpopo-born defender agrees.

''A lot of players are growing in each and every game, and that is the most important thing, so that the coaches can have a headache when selecting players. We can see the growth of women's football in South Africa and this will help the national team,'' she concluded.

Only five African nations have taken part in the Women's Olympic Football Tournament since its inception in 1996.

Nigeria in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, Cameroon in 2012, South Africa in 2012 and 2016, Zimbabwe in 2016 and Zambia in 2020.