The South African Women’s National team (Basetsana) will be looking to do the nation proud in the crucial second leg FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Nigeria set for the Dobsonville Stadium next Saturday, 25 January 2014 (kick-off: 16h00).

 

Basetsana head coach, Sheryl Botes believes her squad has what it takes to challenge the West Africans despite a 6-0 loss to Nigeria in the first leg.

 

Four African nations (South Africa, 

 

Nigeria, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea) will do battle in the final qualifier to determine the two continental representatives at the seventh edition of the FIFA U20 Women’s Cup set for Canada between 5-24 August later this year.

 

“We knew what we were up against when we traveled to Nigeria. It is unfortunate that we were travelling a day before the match and the jet-lag took its toll on the girls and we didn’t perform the way we would have liked to on the day.

 

“As we now look at preparations for the second leg, I am expecting a better performance from the squad and believe they can do well in front the home crowd. We urge the South African supporters to come out in numbers to show support for the girls,” said Botes.

 

The Falconets of Nigeria are a force to be reckoned with on continental football having qualified for every edition of the U20 women’s World Cup since 2002.  They finished as silver medalists in the 2010 edition hosted by Germany and were semi-finalists in the previous edition (2012) in Japan.

 

“Having played a team like Nigeria as a former player, I know the experience of playing a team of their caliber and think we have a chance of playing to our full potential,” said Botes.

 

Basetsana assemble for camp at the Garden Court, OR Tambo hotel from Sunday (19 January) and will train at the Edenvale Football grounds from Monday (20 January).

 

Botes will be expecting University of Western Cape central defender, Vuyo Mkhabela and HPC midfielder Koketso Mamabolo on Monday while US-based striker, Robyn Moodaly will arrive on Wednesday (22 January).

 

Basetsana squad for return leg match:

 

No.

 

  Name

 

  Club

 

  Province

 

  Goalkeepers

 

  1.

 

  Kaylin Swart

 

  University of Western Cape (UWC)

 

  WC

 

  2.

 

  Regirl Ngobeni

 

  High Performance Centre (HPC)

 

  GP

 

  3.

 

  Katlego Moletsane

 

  Golden Ladies FC

 

  NW

 

  Defenders

 

  4.

 

  Vuyo Mkhabela

 

  UWC

 

  WC

 

  5.

 

  Meagan Newman

 

  HPC

 

  WC

 

  6.

 

  Lesego Nkoane

 

  HPC

 

  GP

 

  7.

 

  Nomonde Nomtsheke

 

  Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies FC

 

  FS

 

  8.

 

  Chamelle Wiltshire

 

  HPC

 

  GP

 

  9.

 

  Caryn van Reyneveldt

 

  Spurs WFC

 

  WC

 

  10.

 

  Tiisetso Makhubela

 

  Torino FC

 

  NW

 

  Midfielders

 

  11.

 

  Nomvula Kgoale

 

  HPC

 

  LP

 

  12.

 

  Koketso Mamabolo

 

  HPC

 

  LP

 

  13.

 

  Amanda November

 

  Pioneer FC

 

  EC

 

  14.

 

  Amogelang Motau

 

  HPC

 

  LP

 

  15.

 

  Gabriella Salgado

 

  HPC

 

  GP

 

  16.

 

  Thembi Kgatlane

 

  HPC

 

  GP

 

  Strikers

 

  17.

 

  Shiwe Nogwanya

 

  Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies FC

 

  FS

 

  18.

 

  Mosili Makhoali

 

  Celta Vigo FC

 

  GP

 

  19.

 

  Robyn Moodaly

 

  AIB College

 

  USA

 

  20.

 

  Sduduzo Dlamini

 

  Tottenham FC

 

  KZN