1 December 2017 – The South African U17 Women’s National Team (Bantwana) defeated Botswana 5-2 in the first leg first round of the 2018 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier played at the Lobatse Sports Complex on Friday, 1 December 2017.

The score was 3-1 at half time.

With this being a new squad, South Africa head coach Simphiwe Dludlu gave debuts to 11 players, and they did not disappoint.

Goals from Karabo Dlamini, Thambolinye Mzoneli, Miche Minnies, Jessica Wade as well as an own goal from Tshegofatso Mosotho were enough to see South Africa take a healthy lead going into the second leg which will be played in two weeks time.

Bantwana started on a high grabbing the first goal in the first minute of play through Dlamini, before Mzoneli made it 2-0 in the 15^th minute.

But a minute later the hosts pulled one back when Leungo Senwelo latched on to a defence splitting pass and pushed the ball past an advancing Kaydee Windvogel in the Bantwana goals.

Four minutes before the half time whistle, South Africa extended their lead through and own goal by Tshegofatso Mosotho – leaving the score at 3-1.

In the second stanza, Bantwana continued where they left off in the first half and increased their lead to 4-1 from a Miche Minnies goal in the 56^th minute.

Five minutes later South Africa was awarded a free kick and Jessica Wade took it brilliantly to beat Atang Sedimonyane in the Botswana goals.

In the 73^rd minute Bantwana captain Kaylin Jordaan was adjudged to have fouled her opponent and Botswana were awarded a penalty.

Esalenna Galekhutle stepped up to take it but Windvogel pulled off a beautiful save to keep the scored at 5-1 to Bantwana.

Only three players from the Bantwana squad who featured against Botswana have played international football before (Jordaan, Karabo Dlamini and substitute Sibulele Holweni), and three goal scorers (Mzoneli, Minnies and Wade) got onto the score sheet on their debut.

South Africa head coach Simphiwe Dludlu made two substitutions bringing Holweni for Mzoneli and Micaela Nunens for Wade.

Bantwana travel back to South Africa on Saturday, 2 December.

The second leg will be played on Saturday, 16 December 2017 at the Dobsonville Stadium.

Kick off at 15h00.

This is how they lined up:

Botswana

Atang Sharon Sedimonyane (GK), Theo Pearl George, Tshegofatso Nomsa Mosotho, Tlotlo Charles, Obonetse Oratile Rathari, Keitumetse Dithebe, Kaone Kgokong, Basego Lesetedi Sembuwa ©, Leungo Senwelo, Esalenna M. Galekhutle, Annah Nametso Sechane

Subs

Motshegwe Doris Lorato (GK), Bakang Ntsinyane, Phetso Selaledi, Letso Botlhale, Tebatso Gloria Pilane, Maatla Baby Tlhobogang, Gloria One Gabolatlhiwe,

South Africa:

Kaydee Windvogel (GK), Yolanda Nduli, Tatiana Christedis, Yenzokuhle Ngubane, Kaylin Jordaan ©, Karabo Dlamini, Thambolinye Mzoneli (Sibulele Holweni), Jessica Wade (Micaela Nunens), Oratile Mokwena, Siphumelele Shamase, Miche Minnies (Thubelihle Shamase)

Subs:

Leigh Brophy (GK), Micaela Nunens, Sibulele Holweni, Precious Choshi, Thubelihle Shamase, Chloe Valkin

MATCH OFFICIALS:

REFEREE:                               Salma MUKANSANGA                                        RWANDA

ASS. REF 1:                             Speciose NYINAWABARI                                     RWANDA

ASS. REF 2:                             Sandrine MURANGWA USENGA                         RWANDA

4^TH OFFICIAL:                         Angelique TUYISHIME                                          RWANDA

MATCH COMMISSIONER:       Lenny NKHUWA                                                    ZAMBIA