The South African U17 Women’s National team, Bantwana, are in a do or die battle as they face their counterparts from Nigeria in the second leg second round of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier.
The clash takes place on Saturday afternoon (15 March) at the at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo in Nigeria.
Bantwana lost 1-3 back home in Tshwane and will now have to score three goals without conceding to stand any chance of progressing to the third and final round.
Head coach Ntombifuthi Khumalo maintains it is possible to turn the result around.
“It is a daunting task, yes, but I’m 100% confident about my girls. Remember how we were outplayed in the first half at home, but we managed to come back (dominate) the second half. In Nigeria we’ll be taking it like we are still in the race for the World Cup, like we still have a chance, that’s the positive that we pushing ourself on because it’s a fair race, anything can happen if we come up with a correct plan and we manage to push ourselves the 90 minutes not make mistake like we did in the first leg,” Khumalo told SAFA.net.
Knowing the task at hand and what’s at stake, Khumalo says they intend making some changes to the line-up that played in the second leg. One of the key areas is the striking department where goals will be crucial.
“Yes, there will be changes. Firstly, we were attacking with one striker, but this time around we will bring two strikers,” added Khumalo.
The Nigerian Flamingos are just one match away from booking their spot in the third round where only eight teams will be remaining, and the top four beyond this phase will join hosts Morocco at the World Cup.
The West Africans took their chances and emerged victorious at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville last weekend (Saturday, 8 March 2025) with Shakirat Moshood on target alongside Harmony Chidi who grabbed a brace.
South African captain Katlego Malebana pulled one back for her side.
Meanwhile Ivory Coast became the first team to progress to the third round after defeating Burundi 3-0 on Wednesday (12 March 2025) to win 4-3 on aggregate, coming from behind after a 1-3 defeat in the first leg.
Three other matches are on the go on Saturday (15 March), with Cameroon taking a 5-2 lead into the return leg against Ethiopia in Yaoundé, while Zambia are almost home and dry with a 3-0 lead as they welcome Tanzania.
The remaining three fixtures will be played on Sunday (16 March) where Kenya have a double advantage – a 2-0 lead and playing at home, while Benin, who won 2-0, will be confident of more success when they travel to DR Congo. Botswana will be away to Algeria with the former enjoying a narrow 2-1 lead.
Ivory Coast will face the winner between Sierra Leone and Guinea.
FIFA U-17 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP:
FIRST LEG SECOND ROUND FIXTURES:
| TEAM 1 | TEAM 2 | 1ST LEG | 2ND LEG | AGGREGATE |
| Ivory Coast | Burundi | 1 – 3 | 3 – 0 | 4 – 3 |
| Tanzania | Zambia | 0 – 3 | 15 March | |
| South Africa | Nigeria | 1 – 3 | 15 March | |
| Sierra Leone | Guinea | 2 – 2 | 15 March | |
| Cameroon | Ethiopia | 5 – 2 | 15 March | |
| Uganda | Kenya | 0 – 2 | 16 March | |
| Benin | Dr Congo | 2 – 0 | 16 March | |
| Botswana | Algeria | 2 – 1 | 16 March | |
THIRD ROUND FIXTURES:
| TEAM 1 | TEAM 2 | 1st LEG | 2nd Leg |
| Ivory Coast | Sierra Leone/Guinea | 18 April | 25 April |
| Uganda/Kenya | Cameroon/Ethiopia | 18 April | 25 April |
| South Africa/Nigeria | Botswana/Algeria | 18 April | 25 April |
| Tanzania/Zambia | Benin/DR Congo | 18 April | 25 April |
By Matlhomola Morake
