Khumalo expects tough U17 World Cup second leg qualifier against Tanzania – South African Football Association

30 May 2026 – Head Coach of the South African U17 Women’s National team, Ntombifuthi Khumalo, says she is expecting a tough match against Tanzania in a crucial second leg second round 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier scheduled for the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Sunday.

South Africa emerged victorious in the away fixture with a 2-0 lead in Zanzibar last weekend (Saturday, 23 May) at the New Aman Stadium. Bantwana are 90 minutes away from progression to the third and final round of the qualifiers, but Khumalo has cautioned her charges.

“Having seen the Tanzania team play, we know it will not be an easy match to play, even though we are playing at home. We cannot afford to relax, and we will treat this match as a new fixture, starting from 0-0,” said Khumalo.

“The lesson we are taking into this second leg is that we must be clinical in front of goal and avoid giving away set-pieces cheaply in dangerous areas because those could harm us. All we need to do is to apply the basics well on the day and avoid risking passes in our own half.”

First half goals from Khwezi Khoza (3’) and Aaliyah Jacobs (24’) in Zanzibar were enough to give Bantwana the advantage going into the return fixture.

“It was not an easy game to play but we prepared very well going into that match, hence we managed to score early and that really helped us to settle, and we were able to deal with the threatening arial balls from the opposition. I must applaud the team for applying themselves very well on the day, creating a lot of chances but not converting them, which is something we are working on,” said Khumalo.

This will be Bantwana’s second match in the qualifiers after first round opponents Central African Republic (CAR) withdraw from the competition. The third and final round – where either Uganda or Kenya lie in wait – is set for July.

Africa has been allotted five spots, including hosts Morocco, for the 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup which will be played from 17 October to 7 November.

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