17 September 2017 – The South African U20 women’s national team continued in their fine form after crushing Namibia 5-0 in a FIFA World Cup qualifier played at the Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday, 17 September.
A brace by team captain, Linda Motlhalo as well as individual goals by Lelona Daweti, Lindokuhle Mbatha and Gabriela Salgado ensured Basetsana travel to Namibia with a comfortable five goal cushion.
Coach Maud Khumalo stuck to the same line up that gave her a 5-0 victory a week ago in Swaziland and it was evident in how well structured the team was going forward.
In form winger, Daweti opened the scoring at the half hour mark with a brilliant volley from the edge of the box to give the hosts the lead. Motlhalo doubled the lead a few minutes later after some poor marking in the Namibian box resulted in the playmaker picking up a loose ball to fire home to make it 2-0 before the break.
Basetsana kept their foot on the pedal in the second half and continued piling on the pressure on the young gladiators.
Motlhalo showed sheer brilliance a few minutes into the second half with a beautiful strike from outside the box that found the top right corner. The goal saw the Namibians retreating further into their half hoping to shut down the relentless attack of the hosts.
This proved to be a fatal decision as right back, Lindokuhle Mbatha was able to move forward and find the back of the net in the 65th minute.
Salgado nailed the final nail into the Namibian coffin in the 76th minute with a easy tap in after being found by a beautiful ball from Antonio Maponya.
Speaking after her team’s victory, Basetsana coach, Maud Khumalo expressed her satisfaction with how her team implemented the tactics that they have been working on.
“We had a solid game plan that Namibia failed to contain. The girls have been hard at work during the week and deserve this victory. I am glad that we utilised our chances and we go into the return leg with a good result” said Khumalo.