Nigeria's Flamingos. Photo Credit X
South Africa U-17 women’s head coach Ntombifuthi Khumalo acknowledges the immense challenge his side faces as they prepare for their decisive second-leg clash against Nigeria in the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Bantwana suffered a 3-1 defeat in Pretoria in the first leg, leaving them with an uphill battle in the return fixture in Nigeria.
However, Khumalo remains hopeful of an upset that could see South Africa advance to the final qualifying round.
The fixture was always going to be a stern test for South Africa, who had dismantled Gabon 21-2 on aggregate in the first round.
But facing Nigeria — Africa’s most successful team at this level — was a different proposition.
The Flamingos underlined their pedigree with a dominant first-leg display at the Lucas Moripe Stadium, where goals from Shakirat Moshood and a brace from Harmony Chidi secured a crucial away victory.
Moshood opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a crisp finish, before Chidi doubled Nigeria’s lead from the penalty spot just before half-time.
South Africa responded early in the second half when captain Katleho Malebana converted a penalty in the 47th minute, giving the hosts hope of a comeback.
However, Nigeria reasserted their control in the 68th minute when Chidi struck again to restore the two-goal cushion, leaving South Africa with a difficult task in the second leg.
The Bantwana arrived in Nigeria on Thursday, with Khumalo stressing the importance of maintaining belief despite the odds stacked against them.
“We arrive today (Thursday) in Nigeria,’ Khumalo said after the Bantwana’s first training session.
“It is not going to be an easy game for us, since we have to climb the mountain after the loss at home. But today, we had the first session. Although we travelled (from South Africa to Nigeria) and the girls (are not fully rested), we will see how it goes.
“The good thing is we don’t have any injuries and the girls are positive. Again, it is not going to be easy for us, especially being 3-1 down. We need to try our best to come back because the race is still on. It is up to us how to come stronger to the second leg.”
The return leg is set for 15 March 2025 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, where Nigeria will be aiming to finish the job and secure their place in the final qualifying round.
South Africa, meanwhile, need a near-perfect performance to overturn the deficit and keep their World Cup hopes alive.
History is not on their side — Nigeria have never lost a home World Cup qualifier at this level and have qualified for seven of the eight U-17 Women’s World Cup editions, while South Africa have made only two appearances in the tournament’s history.
A daunting task awaits the Bantwana, but with 90 minutes left to play, Khumalo’s side is refusing to give up hope.
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