MOLEPOLOLE: The national Under-20 women soccer team suffered a 4-1 humiliation at the hands of South Africa in the first leg of the second stage of the Women World Cup qualifiers played at Molepolole Sports Complex on Friday. Although the team had brilliant individuals like captain Thuto 'Vera' Ramafifi and left winger Tlamelo Rametlae the local side simply failed to click. Just from the first whistle, the South Africans camped into the female Zebras' half. The local side's defence was also found wanting in many instances. Trouble started as early as the 15th minute when South Africa's Jermaine Seoposengwe opened the scoring after eluding two defenders.
The goal seemed to create more confusion in Sthembinkosi Takobana's camp as her girls failed to do even the basics of the game with defenders often marking one another. The neighbours capitalised on the local team's panic, and came as no surprise when Tshegofatso Makinta netted the second goal five minutes later. A minute before recess South Africa was back with Caitlin Fryer, taking the game far beyond Botswana's reach. But the local girls did not give up in the second half as they also raided their opponents' posts several times. However, they were let down by poor finishing. Finally their efforts paid dividends 30 minutes later when Rametlae, who was particularly outstanding, scored what was probably the best goal of the match, shooting from outside the 18-yard box and beating goalkeeper Kaylin Swart. When everybody thought the scoring charts were closed, Fryer got her brace just before the last whistle. Botswana coach Takobana said after the match that her players did not take instructions properly and when they finally did it was too late. "Of course no coach can be happy after defeat but I'm positive," she said. She said she managed to pick out the mistakes the girls made and promised to work on them before the return leg. Despite Botswana's demise, South African coach Sheryl Botes thought they gave her side a good run. "I think it was a good game from both sides," she said after the match. Botes said Botswana was good on long balls and put her defence under immense pressure. "They gave us a run for our money and we expect the same when they come for a return leg in two weeks time," she said.
