Banyana Banyana have suffered a blow ahead of their final 2024 Olympic games qualifiers against Nigeria after goalkeeper Andile Dlamini had to withdraw from the squad.
Banyana will take on the Super Falcons in the fourth qualifying round on 5 April in Nigeria before hosting them at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on 9 April.
However, Ellis and her squad suffered a blow after Sundowns Ladies goalkeeper Dlamini had to withdraw due to medical reasons.
“We are without Andile Dlamini who has withdrawn for medical reasons,” Ellis said on Tuesday, as per Centrecircle.
“We have a group of players that are always ready to step up whenever there is a player missing, so this will not affect the preparations much.
“We look at this and see an opportunity for another player to raise their hands.”
Despite the Dlamini blow and the absence of injured duo of Kholosa Biyana and Wendy Shongwe, Ellis was happy to have key players such as captain Refiloe Jane back in her squad.
“Despite the absence of some key players – Dlamini and the injured duo of Kholosa Biyana and Wendy Shongwe – I am happy we have Fifi, Mbane, Gamede and Holweni back, that really warms my heart because those are your more experienced players,”
“And experience in this essence is going to help in this situation as it might be hostile as we know how passionate the fans of Nigeria are and they will be screaming for their team.
“We need that experience to get over this hurdle.”
Ellis announced a preliminary 30-player squad to face Nigeria but will still trim it down to 23.
