The South African U17 Women’s National Team, Bantwana, have a mountain to climb in the return leg of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers after going down 3-0 to hosts Ethiopia in Addis Ababa.
The first leg second round clash was played at the Abebe Bikila Stadium on Sunday, 4 February 2024.
Bantwana’s campaign got off to a shaky start with two goals in the opening stanza and the East Africans strengthened their lead with another strike in the second half.
The first goal came in the 10th minute after goalkeeper Casey Gordon failed to deal with a cross and parried it into the path of Manayush Tesfaye who made not mistake from close range.
The home team doubled the advantage in the 19th minute – this after the South Africans were dispossessed and the speedy Hidat Kassu outpaced the Bantwana defence, leaving Gordon exposed in goals as Kassu netted the second of the day.
After the recess, the visitors brough on fresh legs – with Head Coach Nthabeleng Modiko introducing Khwezi Khoza (46’) and Mpho Nkadimeng (57’) for Nobahle Mdelwa and Luthando Radebe respectively.
Bantwana had a lucky escape in this half when the defence cleared the ball off the line shortly after the restart.
But they could do nothing in the 72nd minute when Kassu, who ran almost half the length of the field, evading the attention of the defence, grabbed her second of the day, and third for Ethiopia for a commanding lead going into the reverse fixture.
It has now become almost mission impossible for coach Modiko’s charges as they have to score four goals in the reverse fixture and, more importantly, not concede.
Despite the setback in Addis Ababa, Modiko remains confident.
“For me it was a lovely game to watch. We saw how best our players can play, we tried to apply ourselves, but congratulations to Ethiopia for their goals. It was a game of mistakes – if we did not commit those mistakes we would not have conceded. The expectation was to put best foot forward, and we knew they were physical, very fast and technical. Look, Ethiopia played well, used their speed very well, but we were slower than anticipated,” Modiko told SAFA.net
“For the return leg, we need to solidify our defence, and empower the forwards, who missed some chances. Back home we expect to play harder because we have to win in South Africa, we have to play better than what we did (in Addis Ababa), and that’s the expectation from my girls, but I also know that Ethiopia will bring a harder game so we have to stay ready for them.”
The South Africans return home on Monday, 5 February to start preparations for the second leg, scheduled for Saturday, 10 February at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville.
Kickoff is at 15h00.
The overall winner of this round will face Kenya who won on a walkover and advanced to the third round after DR Congo withdrew.
The fourth and final round will be played in June, while the 2024 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be held from 16 October to 3 November in the Dominican Republic.
Africa will have three representatives at the competition among the 16 participating countries, including the hosts.
Spain won last edition of the tournament.
By Matlhomola Morake
