Coach tells team not to be complacent

Basetsana might be carrying a 5-0 advantage going into the second leg of their 2018 Fifa Under-20 World Cup qualifier against Namibia, but coach Maud Khumalo (right) says they won’t be taking their opponents lightly when the sides meet at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek on Sunday.

Khumalo says she will approach this game differently, but emphasised the need for her players to build on a winning momentum and not take their opponents for granted.

“It was the first time we met Namibia (the 5-0 home win), so now they know us. I will have to come up with a new strategy,” said Khumalo.

“You need to remind them (my players) that they must not relax. They have to be focused because when you play the same team twice it will be a different ballgame.

“You need to be a step ahead as a coach. Playing Namibia will be preparation for the next round. It won’t be easy because everyone wants to qualify for the World Cup.

“And if you want to play in the World Cup you have to assemble the best team, fresh players who are ready to die for the nation.”

With qualifying for France next year the main objective for Basetsana, Khumalo knows how difficult it will be to make it, but she believes she has a strong squad capable of doing the job.

A win will see the team go through to the next round, where they will meet Burundi after Rwanda pulled out of the qualifiers.