The South African u20 Women’s National Team, Basetsana, will face Nigeria in the third and final round of qualifiers for the 2016 Papua New Guinea FIFA u20 Women’s World Cup following their victory over Zambia.

Linda Motlhalo scored her second goal of the day, and third for South Africa in the 73rd minute as Basetsana defeated Zambia 3-2 in the second round of qualifiers for the 2016 Papua New Guinea FIFA u20 Women’s World Cup.

The match was played on Saturday, 10 October at Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa.

Motlhalo found the back of the net just 17 seconds into the match while Mosili Makhoali chipped in with one in the second half.

The first leg ending goalless two weeks ago (Sunday, 27 September) at the Nkoloma Stadium in Zambia, so the pressure was on South Africa, as any goal by the visitors would make it a mountain to climb for the hosts.

“First of all I am very happy for the girls because the away game was very tough and they worked hard. At training before the second leg they were very aggressive and were prepared for the battle and we came out as winners, which is very good for the girls,” reflected Basetsana coach Elisabeth Migchelsen.

“Well we started well because we changed the system of play and I knew that our players were not going to adapt very quickly to the new style of play and we scored from kickoff which was a relief for the players and it boosted their confidence. But we also had other issues because we don’t play that system often but we managed and kept the score 1-0 until the break.

“At half time I changed the system again to give it more balance, telling them they needed to be in their half because Zambia was playing long balls. But they didn’t understand, and what made matters worse is that we two new players in defence who had never played together.

“I shouted until I lost my voice, and when we scored to make it 2-1 I reminded them of remaining in their half and be compact because the opposition was putting more pressure on us with the long balls, but it was fine when we scored the third goal. I think we could have scored more goals though,” said Migchelsen.

The win was sweet revenge for South Africa as Zambia edged them out of the 2015 FIFA u17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, which was held in New Zealand.

Basetsana next face Nigeria (who defeated RD Congo) in the third and final round in two weeks’ time.

The first leg will be played on the weekend of 23, 24 25 October with the return match scheduled for 6, 7, 8 November.

The 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup will be the 8th edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, and will be held in Papua New Guinea.

A total of 16 teams qualify for the final tournament – two from the African continent.

“We knew that if we went through we will end up with Nigeria, and we also know it will be twice as much a battle as we had against Zambia. It is going to be very hard and difficult to beat Nigeria,” said the coach.

Basetsana had a few injury concerns from the Zambia game with Chamelle Wiltshire and Bongeka Gumede picking up some knocks but the coach is confident they will make a quick recovery.

This is how they lined up:

South Africa: Mapaseka Mpuru (GK), Amanda Mthandi, Tiisetso Makhubela, Jamie-Lee Witbooi (Caryn van Reyneveld), Linda Motlhalo, Thembi Kgatlana, Thato Letsoso, Mosili Makhoali (Nomathamsanqa Sikweza), Amogelang Motau (c), Gabriela Salgado, Thalea Smidt

Subs: Caryn van Reyneveld, Drishana Pillay, Nomathamsanqa Sikweza, Lelona Daweti, Regirl Ngobeni, Anelisa Ndyebi, Puleng Moremi, Tshwarelo Digaoto, Asa Rabalao

Zambia: Milika Limwanya, Elizabeth Nachivula (Agnes Musesa), Margert Belemu, Penelope Mulumbwa (Martha Tembo), Grace Chanda, Barbra Banda (C), Esther Mukwasa, Ireen Lungu, Hellen Chanda, Hazel Nali, Iweendo Chisamu

Subs: Ngambo Musole, Melan Mulenga, Jackline Nkole, Agnes Musesa, Judith Zulu, Martha Tembo, Rodah Chileshe.