South Africa will not be represented at the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic after Bantwana were eliminated in the second round of the qualifiers by Ethiopia.
With a commanding 3-nil lead from the first leg, the East Africans knew they were almost over the line when the two met in the revere fixture at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Saturday afternoon (10 February 2024) – all they had to do was prevent the home side from scoring four goals for a victory.
The visitors achieved their mandate but it was not through lack of trying by the hosts who had several opportunities to overturn the results but lacked firepower upfront – South Africa needed to score four goals without reply from the East Africans.
Head Coach Nthabeleng “Dunga” Modiko made some changes to the squad that started in the away leg and the move almost paid dividends as the South African made several forays into the Ethiopia goal area, but nothing came from all the attempts.
The longer the match wore on without goals played into the visitors’ plans and their progress into the third round was confirmed when the referee blew the final whistle.
For South Africa, it was a much improved performance from the first leg, but another missed opportunity to emulate the class of 2010 and 2018 who played in the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago as well as in Uruguay respectively.
“They gave it their all but failed to convert any of the chances created. I must admit we played much better today as we penetrated Ethiopia, but we failed to score, and that’s the only way to win a match. Our defence was very solid, and this was a great display of football,” Modiko told SAFA.net
Ethiopia march on to face Kenya in the third round in May, after the latter won on a walkover against the DR Congo who withdrew from the qualifiers.
The fourth and final round takes place in June.
Only three nations will represent the African continent in the 16-team event of the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic, taking place from 16 October to 3 November, which will be the 8thedition of the tournament.
In 2022 in India, Morocco, Nigeria and Tanzania flew the African flag in the tournament – with the Flamingos (Nigeria) finishing in third place behind champions Spain and runners up Colombia.
Germany ended fourth.
By Matlhomola Morake
