THE South African Under 17 women’s national team, Bantwana has

defeated their Namibian counterparts by five goals to nil (5-0) in a

second leg World Cup qualifier played at the Sinaba Stadium in

Daveyton. The match was played this past Saturday.

South Africa go through the next round on a 6-1 aggregate after playing to a

one all draw (1-1) in the first leg.

Bantwana will face the winner between Ghana and Cameroon, and the match is

scheduled for March this year.

The FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup 2012 will be played in

Azerbaijan from September 22-October 13.

A moment of silence was observed before the start of the match to

honour those who passed away recently in a football match in Egypt.

In a match attended by Banyana Banyana head coach Joseph Mkhonza, the

home side was in complete control of the match from the first whistle.

Mosili Makhaoli could have opened the scoring as early as the fourth

minute but she hesitated in front of goals only for the ball to be

cleared. From the resultant corner South Africa hit the crossbar.

But two minutes later Makhoali made up for her earlier mistake and she

put Bantwana in front.

South Africa could have increased the score line but again hit the

crossbar in the 12th minute through Caryn van Reyneveldt.

In the 25th minute poor defence and goalkeeping from Namibia, and a

touch of brilliance from Van Reyneveldlt increased Bantwana’s lead

– she also scored in the first leg draw.

Three minutes later Makhaoli scored her second of the day and South

Africa’s third – and that’s how it stayed at the break.

At the restart Bantwana head coach Greg Mashilo made a double

substitution bringing on Drishana Pillay and Thembi Kgatlana for Kelso

Pesskin and Shenell Jacobs.

South Africa seemed to take their foot off the pedal and could only

manage the first goal of the half in the 70th minute through Amanda

November. The fifth and last goal came just two minutes from the final

whistle from the captain Nomvula Kgoale – South Africa 5, Namibia 0.

“I’m extremely happy about the performance of my players. They stuck

to the game plan and everything worked for us. Our idea was to

maintain ball possession and they could not play. But I must caution

that this win does not mean we should relax going forward. A lot of

work lies ahead and will need some improvement to go past our next

match, but I am confident we will prepare well and get the desired

result,” said Mashilo.

This is how they lined up:

South Africa:

Katlego Moletsane; Nomvula Kgoale (Capt); Meagan Newman; Thato

Letsoso; Bongiwe Mkolose; Amanda November; Kelso Pesskin (Drishana

Pillay); Mosili Makhoali; Caren van Reyneveldt; Thonako Pooutsoane;

Shenell Jacobs (Thembi Kgatlana); Tarry-Lee Davids;

Namibia:

Melane Hikuam; Annousoka Kordom; Eddelisisingh Naris; Lovisa Mulunga

(Capt); Celine Tjombe; Anna Shikusho; Melissa Matheus; Anushca Meyer;

Juliana Blou; Hobasen Uiras and Dephney Inanabes