8 September 2017 – The South African U20 Women’s National team humiliated the Swaziland senior women’s national team in their own backyard with a 5-0 drubbing in a friendly encounter played at the Somhlolo Stadium in Swaziland.
A hatrick by Lelona Dawet plus a brace by team captain, Linda Mohlalo saw Basetsana come out with a morale boosting win ahead of their FIFA World Cup qualifier against Namibia on Sunday, 17 September.
Dawet opened the scoring in the opening 10 minutes after a moment of brilliance by team captain, Motlhalo who cut through the defence to lay a perfect ball for the speedy winger who rifled home from the edge of the box.
Minutes later, Zamasa Dhekeda who was a constant threat in the Swaziland defence almost doubled the lead for Basetsana after a good diving header from a Dawet’s cross but her effort was kept out by the keeper.
Dhekeda was again denied at the half hour mark, this time by the woodwork after a well taken strike from outside the box that had Swaziland keeper, Sukoluhle Sibanda well beaten.
The hosts did very little to trouble the rampant Basetsana who looked like a well-oiled machine, having been in camp for the past week.
Motlhalo then doubled the Basetsana’s lead in the 40th minute after Swaziland defender, Sibongile Ngwenya was judged for a handball in the box for the captain to step up and easily convert from the spot.
Dawet grabbed her brace in the 44th minute with a brilliantly taken header after a well taken corner by Smangele Gamede to make it 3-0 before the break.
The South Africans carried on from where they left off in the second half, taking the game to the hosts with great precision and structured movements.
Another moment of brilliance by Motlhalo alongside Gabriela Salgado saw the two playing a good interchange of passes all the way to the opponent’s box before the captain found the back of the net.
South Africa could have taken a 4-0 lead immediately thereafter but Dawet’s brilliant volley was judged to be offside by the referee. The speedy winger was not to be denied her hatrick after doing well to rise above everyone in the box to head home a well taken free kick by Motlhalo.
Head coach of Basetsana, Maud Khumalo said that the victory was a huge morale booster and helped in their preparations for the Namibia clash.
“We had a very good outing with the girls and glad that they responded well to the game plan that we had. They displayed great maturity and were comfortable on the ball. It will be a different ball game against Namibia but we will work hard to ensure that we get a good result” said Khumalo.
Basetsana host Namibia at the Dobsonville Stadium on Saturday, 17 September in the first leg of their World Cup qualifiers. The return leg will be played in Windhoek on 30 September.