16 December 2017 – The South African U17 Women’s National Team (Bantwana) is just two matches away from qualification into the the 2018 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.

Bantwana have progressed to the second and final round of qualifiers after defeating neighbours Botswana 6-4 at the Dobsonville Stadium.

South Africa led 5-1 at the break of this second leg second round clash that took place on Saturday, 16 December.

Miche Minnies scored two goals and was able assisted by Karabo Dlamini, Thambolinye Mzoneli, Thubelihle Shamase and captain Kaylin Jordaan.

Bantwana will next face Morocco on the weekend of 2-4 February 2018, with the return leg scheduled for a fortnight later (on the weekend of 16-18 February).

The overall winner will be one of three representatives from the African continent at World Cup tournament that will be held in Uruguay, South America, from 20 November to 13 December.

The 2018 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup will be the sixth edition of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.

North Korea are the defending champions.

South Africa last qualified for the tournament in 2010 in Trinidad and Tobago.

Bantwana moved a step closer to their second qualification when Dlamini scored the first goal in the 20th minute, before Mzoneli doubled the lead just three minutes later. The celebrations had hardly died down when Oratile Rathari reduced the deficit in the 29th minute.

Two minutes later Minnies also got in on the act with two quick goals (31st and 38th minutes), before Thubelihle Shamase made 5-1 just four minutes from the break.

In the second half, the visitors were first out of the blocks when Letso Botlhale grabbed the second in the 49th minute.

Jordaan, the South African captain, also got on the scoresheet with a well-taken free kick that beat Motshegwe Lorato in the Botswana goals, making 6-2 for the home side.

But the leaky Bantwana defence let another one slip in as Botlhale got her second of the day, and third for Botswana.

Rathari completed her brace in referee’s optional time – and it ended 6-4 to South Africa.

Minnies, Dlamini and Mzoneli also scored in the 5-2 win in the first leg played two weeks ago in Lobatse, Botswana.

But the South Africa head coach, Simphiwe Dludlu, would be worried about her porous defence which has now let in six goals in two games.

She is also hoping for a speedy recovery for two players that were taken off due to injuries – goalkeeper Kaydee Windvogel, as well as Yolanda Ndali who was stretchered off.

Next Qualifiers:

2-4 February 2018

South Africa vs Morocco

 

16-18 February 2018

Morocco vs South Africa

 

 

Here’s how they lined up:

 

South Africa U17:

Kaydee Windvogel (GK) (Leigh Brophy), Yolanda Nduli (Fikile Magama), Tatiana Christedis, Yenzokuhle Ngubane, Kaylin Jordaan (c), Karabo Dlamini, Thambolinye Mzoneli, Oratile Mokwena, Spumelele Shamase, Thubelihle Shamase, Miche Minnies (Khunjulwa Mali)

 

Subs:

Leigh Brophy (GK), Micaela Nunens, Cynthia Makete, Chloe Valkin, Fikile Magama, Khunjulwa Mali, Thembelihle Masibi

Head Coach: Simphiwe Dluidlu

Botswana U17:

Motshegwe Lorato (GK), Theo Pearl George, Michelle Abueng, Lone Gaofetoge, Obonetse Oratile Rathari, Keitumetse Dithebe, Kaone Kgokong, Letso Botlhale, Basego Lesetedi Sembuwa (c), Esalenna Galekhutle, Anna Nametso Sechane

Subs:

Atang Sharon Sedimonyane (GK), Bakang Ntsinyane, Phetso Selaledi, Tlotlo Charles, Tebatso Gloria Pilane, Gloria One Gabolatlhiwe, Leungo Senwelo,

Head Coach: Odirile Matlhaku

MATCH OFFICIALS:

REFEREE:                                  CAROLYNE WANJALA                          KENYA

REF ASS. 1:                              MARY NJOROGE                                     KENYA

REF ASS. 2:                              QUEENCY VICTOIRE                              MAURITIUS

4TH OFFICIAL:                         MARIA RIVET                                            MAURITIUS