The South African Women’s U17 team drew 0-0 with Ethiopia’s U17 Women in their second-leg World Cup qualifier at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday, 10 February 2024, with Banyana Banyana star goalkeepers Andile Dlamini and Kaylin Swart in attendance where they have both played many matches for club and country.
Bantwana were left with a mountain to climb after the first leg ended 3-0 in favour of their opponents and despite holding the upper hand the Ethiopians were not resting on their laurels.
It was the visitors who had the first attempt on goal in the opening minutes of the match, South Africa however tried to get on the front foot to get that all-important opening goal as they looked over turn the first-leg score. The home side kept pressing, and in the 14th minute Julia Goncalves whipped a ball into the box, but it was cleared by the Ethiopian defence.
Bantwana pressed for the opener as Katleho Malebana’s shot went way over the bar. Sethabile Kamwanda had an opportunity to score, but wasn’t able to find the back of the net thanks to Ethiopia’s goalkeeper Abebayehu Tassew. The first goal of the match just didn’t come, and the teams were still locked at 0-0 after 30 minutes.
South Africa’s keeper Casey Gordon fouled Hiddat Kassu on the edge of the box, and Ethiopia was awarded a free kick with less than 10 minutes to go in the first half.
Mahlet Mitiku played a dummy with Saba Hailemukael taking the shot and coming agonisingly close to scoring, but the ball hit the crossbar. The home side continued their search for a goal, but their play in the final third kept letting them down.
When the second half resumed, South Africa again tried to break the deadlock, Malebana with a goal attempt, but her shot was easily gathered by goalkeeper Tassew. On the other end, Ethiopia was awarded a free kick but wasn’t able to capitalise. Kassu then attempted a shot but it found the side netting as both teams were left frustrated with no goals in the game by the 60th minute.
It was 11 minutes later when South Africa could have finally taken the lead thanks to captain Adrielle Mibe but her shot went over the crossbar. To their credit, Ntabeleng Modiko’s team tried everything possible to at least get a goal in this tie but whatever they did just didn’t yield one.
The tie ended 0-0, which means Ethiopia secured a 3-0 aggregate win, and moves on to the next round of qualifying.
Photo caption: Despite a valiant effort, the South African Women’s u17 team ended up on the losing side in their World Cup Qualifier, when they fought bravely but ended the qualifier’s return leg 0-all, for Ethiopia to advance 3-0 on aggregate. Photo: SAFA on X
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