The South African Under 17 women’s national team Bantwana edged closer to booking a place in next year’s U17 World Cup when they thrashed Botswana 5-2 away from home this past Friday in a first leg qualifier.

Bantwana will look to the emulate their older counterparts Basetsana who are currently on course to secure a spot at the U20 Women’s World Cup which will take place in France next year. The U-17’s led by Simphiwe Dludlu will now look to host Botswana in a return leg fixture which will see the winners face either Equatorial Guinea or Morocco in the second round of qualifiers.  

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“We got the goals we needed. In the second leg, we just want to maintain our shape and improve our defence said Dludlu,” speaking to Soccer Laduma.

“I’m proud of the players and their application. We never for even a single moment underestimate Botswana. We know them to be a threat and we have seen how they can come back from matches.” 

The former Banyana Banyana defender further added that coaching in the youth ranks was satisfying due to the hunger displayed by young players. 

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“These players are hungry all they want to do is to play football. Some of them have never even gone beyond the borders of South Africa but that did not affect their game or mentality as they all they wanted to do is to play. 

“We will be ready for the second leg. This win is in the past we look ahead to the future,” concluded the Dludlu.

Should South Africa qualify for the U17 World Cup, they will be one of three African representatives from the continent.