7 March 2020 – The South African U-17 Women’s National Team (Bantwana) reported for camp on Saturday afternoon (7 March 2020) and wasted no time as they got down to business to start preparations for the 2nd leg of their 1st round FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Zambia.
The match will take place on Saturday, 14 March 2020 at Bidvest Stadium in Johannesburg.
Kick off is at 15h00.
South Africa lost 2-0 to Zambia on Friday, 28 February 2020 in Lusaka.
Ahead of the squad’s first training session, Head Coach Simphiwe Dludlu spoke to the players about the importance of turning the tables on the visitors so as to advance to the next round of the qualifiers, which will be played next month.
“Our work against Zambia begins today, not on Saturday when the match kicks off”; said Dludlu to her players.
“This match is going to determine our year and has become a do or die, and all or nothing affair. We have spoken about what went wrong in the away leg and this week is our opportunity to work on those areas. This is going to be one of the most important weeks for all of us – and the effort you put at training will see you in the starting eleven, so it is all up to you. But I have confidence that you are up for the job against Zambia, I believe in you.”
Bantwana will play a practice match against SAFA National Women’s League champions-in waiting Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies tomorrow morning (Sunday, 8 March 2020), which is a tougher and stronger opponent, but a much needed exercise for the team to prepare for the physical and speedy Zambia.