The South African U17 Women’s National Team (Bantwana), have a mountain to climb after a heavy 3-0 defeat at the hands of their counterparts from Ethiopia.
This was in the first leg of the third round of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier held at the Wits Stadium in Johannesburg on Friday, 12 April 2022.
Playing in their first ever international – after they got a bye in the previous round when Kenya was suspended by FIFA – the hosts looked disjointed and could hardly string passes together in the opening minutes of the game.
But they were the first to ask questions, with Asanda Mchunu nearly opening the scoring in the 4th minute – her shot beating Abeba Ajibo Afa in the visitors goals but going agonisingly wide of the upright.
Ethiopia got their chance in the next minute but the shot sailed just over the crossbar, as Bantwana held their own for nearly a quarter of an hour.
With the benefit of two matches under their belts in the qualifiers, the visitors played as a unit, looking dangerous when on the ball.
South Africa’s naivety came back to haunt them in the 14th minute when an innocent ball was floated into their penalty area, but a mix-up in defence led to the players just ball watching instead of clearing their lines.
Ethiopia won the ball, shot at goals and in their attempt to defend, the ball ricochet off Bantwana’s feet beating goalkeeper Kgomotso Msimango in one of the easiest goals for the visitors as they took a 1-0 lead.
Four minutes later South Africa won a free kick, Maxine Segall tasked with the responsibility of taking, but it went over the bar.
They would get another chance in the 32nd minute but Ajibo Afa closed down the angle and made a good save, giving the defence time to clear their lines.
Bantwana came out of the dressing with more determination and looked the likely to score as they created some promising chances.
But it was the visitors who extended their lead in a bizarre manner.
With no danger in sight, defender Ntandoenhle Phahla played back pass to Msimango who was off her line, and had to scramble back to stop the ball from going into the net. Her attempt to clear it was blocked by Emush Dandamo, going back into the net.
But this will go down as an own goal as the ball had already crossed the net, making it 2-0 to Ethiopia, with South Africa in deep trouble.
The visitors almost grabbed the third in the 66th minute when second half substitute Kumneger Kassa Kebede spotted Msimango off the line, and her attempt to scoop the ball past the keeper was brilliant, but it went narrowly wide of the upright.
Bantwana nearly got their opening goal in the 77th minute when Ayanda Mkhize, who was introduced late in this half, fired a powerful strike from outside the penalty box which needed Ajibo Afa to be at her best to make a great save.
Three minutes from time South Africa launched another attack and floated the ball into the penalty box of the visitors with the goalkeeper failing to hold on to the ball, but Bantwana could not capitalise on the mistake with the goal at their mercy, allowing Ethiopia to clear the ball to safety.
The East Africans would almost seal their fourth round spot with a good low strike by Kassa Kebede after an amazing run into the box to make it 3-0 – leaving South Africa with a mountain to climb as they head into the second leg away in Ethiopia.
This is how they lined up:
South Africa U17 Women:
Kgomotso Msimango (GK), Geneva Jaftha, Masabatha Mathapo, Ntandoenhle Phahla, Gugu Dlamini, (78’ Ponatshego Motlhabi), Maxine Segall, (69’ Ayanda Mkhize) Asanda Mchunu (86’ Mpho Nkadimeng), Mmabatho Mogale (c), Sibongakonke Mzobe, Malehlohonolo Mibe, Portia Masilela
Subs:
Shifaah Goosen (GK), Nonzuzo Buthelezi, Ayanda Mkhize, Ponatshego Motlhabi, Olwethu Sosibo, Gositang Motshegwe, Khutso Mogano, Mpho Nkadimeng
Coach: Simphiwe Dludlu
Ethiopia U17 Women:
Abeba Ajibo Afa (GK), Metasebiya Kifile Gelaw, Meseret Mamo Wolde (c), Sanayt Shego Shanko, Emush Daniel Dandamo, Tinbit Samuel Bassa, Tigist Adane Belihu, Tsehayinesh Bekele Babe, Tihune Ayele Azeze, Eyerus Wondemu Tulu, Melat Alimuz Nuru Hussien,
Subs:
Eyerusalem Wesine Feleke (GK), Dirshaye Menza Malabo, Sebelewongel Wodajo Robse, Nigist Asres Lema, Semira Kedir Ahimed, Demekech Dalga Jabebo, Kumneger Kassa Kebede
Coach: Endalkachew Chaka
By Matlhomola Morake
