Why South Africa are unfazed by Junior Starlets' 2-0 lead ahead of World Cup qualifier decider
Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 05.07.26. | 14:56
The two nations will clash in the second leg slated for Sunday, 12 July at the Nyayo National Stadium from 1500 hrs
South Africa U17 Women's head coach Ntombifuthi Khumalo, has explained why she is hopeful of qualification to the 2026 World Cup despite falling to Kenya in the first leg of the final round of the qualifiers.
The Bantwana failed to capitalize on home advantage,losing 2-0 to Junior Starlets in a match played on Saturday, 4 June at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa.
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Faith Boke opened the scoring for Kenya in the 23rd minute, before goalkeeper Mishel Okoyo came to Kenya’s rescue moments later, saving Koketso Malibana’s penalty to keep the score in favour of the visitors.
Red-hot Brenda Achieng sealed the win for Kenya in the 70th minute, giving her side crucial advantage ahead of the second leg.
Speaking after the match, a disappointed Khumalo highlighted why she is hopeful of a second leg triumph in Nairobi.
“I saw a lot of improvement in this game. We will go back and correct some mistakes, and go to the second leg with confidence.
I always say the difficult game is playing at home because you have a lot of pressure not to concede. But I am positive with my team that we will come back in the second leg,” said Khumalo.
The South African tactician also explained areas where her team fell short against Kenya.
“As for the result, we are not happy. We are disappointed that what we planned did not go well. We did not apply our tactics, especially in the first half. In the second half, we tried to stabilize our midfield and play direct in attacks.
The most disappointing part is that we created many chances but could not convert any of them, while our opponents created three and converted two. Now we need to work more on how to convert.”
The two nations will clash in the second leg slated for Sunday, 12 July at the Nyayo National Stadium from 1500 hrs.
The winner, on aggregate, will book a place in the 2026 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup that will be held in Morocco from 17 October to 7 November.