Bantwana leave nothing to chance

Bantwana coach Simphiwe Dludlu (above) has explained the reason behind the team’s early departure for Uruguay, where they will be competing at this year’s Fifa Under-17 World Cup.

The squad arrived in Uruguay on Sunday having left South Africa on Saturday, and will continue with the preparations for the tournament, which is due to start in two weeks.

“We opted to come early so that we can acclimitise. Today it’s a bit windy and we come from a place where it is very hot, so we wanted to see the area, the training sites and being able to familiarise ourselves with everything quicker,” said Dludlu.

“The place we are accommodated in is very nice and it is good that we came in early ... then it’s business as usual compared to just coming in a few days before the tournament and they are still mesmerised by everything they see and they lose focus. So, for me, it’s easy to plan ahead and see each day and plan better when we are not under pressure.

“It was imperative to come here early and be able to sit and plan, absorb as much as we can so that when we start working there won’t be any disturbance.”

Despite enjoying their stay so far in South America, the Bantwana coach added that the travelling is exhausting, but says it’s worth it.

“The journey was long, with a lot of stops, but it’s all worth it. And I think the girls have enjoyed travelling knowing they are going to a worthy place. So, it has really been great travelling knowing we are going there for a greater cause.”

While the team opted to go to Uruguay earlier than the other nations, Dludlu’s troops will play a friendly match against the hosting nation Uruguay on November 5 as part of their last preparation phase before the tournaments kicks off on November 13, with the final on December 1.

The journey was long, with a lot of stops, but it’s all worth it.