Bantwana in fight for lives

After being thrashed 6-0 by Japan in their second game at the Fifa Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Uruguay, a battered Bantwana now shift their focus to their last group stage game against Brazil at Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo today.

The junior national women’s team only have one point from their first two games and find themselves bottom in Group B, level on one point with the Brazilians who are third, while Japan and Mexico are also level on four points, occupying first and second spot respectively, just separated by goal difference.

Going into this crucial clash, goalkeeper Kaydee Windvogel (above) is sure they can do well against the South Americans, having held them to a goalless draw during the Brics Cup earlier this year.

“I do think we stand a chance against the Brazil team, it’s not the first time we are facing them. The first time we played them we drew but we can’t bank on the past as this is a different ballgame altogether now,” she said.

“I am very confident that we will give Brazil a good game. We have to score goals, play our hearts outs and play for each other. Most importantly we need to give the strikers support up front and get the ball into the back of the net which I think is our only major problem.”

Windvogel, who started both games between the poles for Bantwana has been battling with a wrist injury, but she is expected to be fully fit for the Brazil game.

Meanwhile, defender Lonathemba Mhlongo, who suffered an ankle injury, will be looking to pass a late fitness test, while Fikile Magama rejoined the team after recovering from a head injury she sustained in the match against Mexico.

In order for Bantwana to go through to the next round, they will have to bank on Japan to beat Mexico and make sure they win their tie against Brazil by a big margin.