Ruthless Basetsana looking for more of the same in second leg

National Under-20 women’s coach Maud Khumalo credited the team’s work ethic following their 5-0 hammering of Namibia in a 2018 World Cup qualifier at the Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday.

A brace by captain Linda Motlhalo (right) and one each from Lelona Deweti, Lindokuhle Mbathata and Gabriel Salgado gave Basetsana a comfortable advantage ahead of the second leg in two weeks time.

“We had a solid game plan that Namibia failed to contain. The girls have been hard at work during the week and deserve this victory. I am pleased we utilised our chances and we go into the return leg with a good result,” said the coach.

Captain Motlhalo shared her coaches sentiments regarding the team’s hard work and says they can only get better and stronger after this result.

“It was a team a effort, we have been working together for quite a while now. The minute we got to camp we told ourselves we wanted to make the country proud by qualifying for the World Cup, I just hope we make it and I believe in my coach who has taught us a lot,” said Motlhalo.

“We played very well and we all fought for each other, that is why we were able to get the result. We have been working on finishing our goalscoring chances which is a major problem in the country, so we don’t want to make any mistakes going forward.”

Motlhalo insisted they wouldn’t go easy on Namibia despite their five-goal advantage going to the second leg.

“We won’t rest, we have to keep the momentum going. This is a big match and we don’t want to be carried away by the first-leg result. The job is not yet done, there is still a long way to go and we all know that because we just want to keep on winning our games.”