Broadcast fiasco eclipses Banyana's defeat as Nigeria seizes upper hand in Olympic qualifier

Amid the stumbling efforts of the South African Football Association (SAFA) and the South African Broadcast Corporation (SABC) to secure the rights to broadcast the fourth-round first-leg Olympic qualifier, Banyana Banyana faced Nigeria but fell short, suffering a 1-0 defeat at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

Just an hour before kick-off, SAFA released a statement, dealing a devastating blow to millions across South Africa who had eagerly planned to tune into the fixture, scheduled to begin at 18:00 SA time.

"The South African Football Association (SAFA) wishes to communicate that the away first leg Olympic qualifier between Banyana Banyana and the Super Falcons of Nigeria in Abuja on Friday afternoon will not be broadcast live on the SABC," the statement read.