Under-17 Girls Face Elimination
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday December 4, 2017 15:14
The team once again fell prey to nemesis South Africa, as they were hammered 5-2 in the first leg of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers first round played at the Lobatse Sports Complex on Friday.
The local side missed their top goal scorer in the competition, Michell Abueng, through injury. The striker has four goals in two games. On the field, the visitors took an early lead as Karabo Dlamini scored in the first minute.
Basetsana took total control of the game, as they doubled their lead in the 14th minute. Thamboyiseli Mzoneli found herself in the right place at the right time and poked into an empty net after Tshegofatso Mosotho collided with her goalkeeper in an attempt to clear the ball. Two minutes later, the Zebras caught their opponents napping at the back and Leungo Senwelo rounded off the goalkeeper to pull one back for the team. With six minutes to the break, Mosotho hit her own net as she attempted to clear the ball to give the visitors a comfortable 3-1 lead, going into the break.
After the break the local side looked rejuvenated, as they tried to catch their opponents on the counter while South Africa stuck to their short passes play. Precious Chosi put in a teasing cross and Miche Minnies nodded in from close range to extend the visitors lead. On the hour mark, Jessica Wade curled in a free kick to take the game beyond the Zebras reach. The local girls were given a glimpse of hope after Senwelo was brought down in the box. She stepped up and was denied by the keeper from the spot in the 72nd minute. Senwelo redeemed herself four minutes later after she received a long ball from the back, she beat her marker and put past the advancing keeper to reduce the deficit. The visitors nearly got their sixth, but Atang Sedimonyane showed great reflexes to deny Wade in the 80th minute in what was the last action of the game. Zebras coach, Odirile Matlhaku admitted the score line was to heavy but was optimistic of a comeback in the second leg. “We did not start well as we conceded early. The goal unsettled my players. They gave South Africa too much room to play. We were also let down by lack of communication at the back,” he said.
The Teams:
Botswana: Atang Sedimonyane, Theo George, Tshegofatso Mosotho (Gloria Pilane), Tlotlo Charles (Letso Botlhale), Oratile Rathari, Keitumetse Dithebe, Kaone Kgokong, Basego Sembuwa, Leungo Senwelo, Esalenna Galekhutle, Annah Sechane
South Africa: Kaydee Windvogel, Yolanda Ndluli, Yenzokhuhle Ngubane, Kaylin Jordan, Karabo Dlamini, Jessica Wade(Micaela Nunes), Thambolinye Mzoleni(Sibulele Holweni), Miche Minnies, Thubelihle Shamase, Precious Chosi
Caution: Dlamini
Botswana 2 (Senwelo 16th, 78th)
South Africa 5 (Dlamini 1st, Mzoneli 14th, Mosotho 39th o.g, Minnies 55th, Wade 60th)