South African U17 women’s side coach Ntombifuthi Khumalo has commented on the toughness of playing outside the boarders of the country after her side’s World Cup qualifier was called off albeit with SA being given a win.
Bantwana’s first leg encounter of the 2025 global showpiece against Gabon in Franceville was called off after the first half, as the host nation had only six players available to play owing to injuries in the game and age ineligibility.
The visitors were leading 12-1 from the opening stanza, however the game had to come to a halt. The second leg is scheduled for the Lucas Moripe Stadium on 18 January.
Khumalo says she warned her charges about the tricks played on the continent, adding that she’s pleased the players maintained focus amidst the drama in the central African country.
“Playing outside as a country is not easy because we plan for 90 minutes but there are so many things trying all tricks to make sure we don’t up our game,” Khumalo told Safa.net.
“They try, because, remember, this is U17, these are kids. Some of the things that happened before the game, it was like, ‘Yeah, we need to motivate them’.
“Before we came here, we told them, going outside is not a joke, because everyone wants to beat South Africa. Remember Banyana Banyana, Sundowns [Ladies], all U15, they do well when they play against other countries.
“So those things, yeah we had so many challenges, but I’m happy they were able to bounce back and to remember why we are here.”
