In a thrilling matchup during the U-20 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, South Africa’s Basetsana drew 2-2 with Ghana’s Black Princesses. Head coach Maud Khumalo lauded her players for their resilience and teamwork following the hard-fought contest.
Khumalo’s Insight on the Game
After the match, Khumalo highlighted the significance of scoring away goals. She acknowledged the challenge posed by Ghana, a team with a rich history of participation in World Cup events. “It’s an advantage we managed to score goals away,” Khumalo remarked. “We knew it wasn’t going to be easy.”
Team Preparation and Strategy
The coach emphasized her team’s preparation as crucial to their performance. South Africa faced a Ghana squad filled with experienced players who compete at a high level. Khumalo noted, “We struggled with set pieces, but we didn’t allow them to hit us in open play.”
- Two goals scored by South Africa in an away game.
- Ghana’s extensive experience in international competitions.
- Challenges faced with set pieces during the match.
Collective Effort and Teamwork
Khumalo dismissed any notion of individual heroics, reiterating that the draw was a product of collective effort. “Honestly, I was backing everyone to start the game. It’s teamwork and collective effort,” she stated. “When we work collectively, that’s our strength.”
The Basetsana players demonstrated commitment, running for each ball and supporting one another throughout the match. Such unity was a key theme in Khumalo’s post-match comments.
Looking Ahead
The two teams will meet for the return leg of the U-20 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Saturday, February 14, 2026. South Africa aims to leverage their resilience and teamwork once again to secure a positive result.
