The South African Women’s U17 national team’s won a bizarre 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup first leg qualifier 12- 1 against Gabon, with the match prematurely ended in Franceville, Gabon, on Saturday, 11 January 2025.
The incident-struck away encounter was eventually called off due to a breach of the FIFA regulations by the hosts.
Gabon could field only 10 players at the start of the match, after eight players were determined to not be eligible to participate in the World Cup qualifier, and Match Commissioner Madam Elise Delly Mankou Nee eventually called off the match later in the afternoon.
The competition rules stipulate that players born between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2010 are eligible for the 2025 qualifiers, but some of the players Gabon brought to the game were born in 2011, which is outside the competition rules.
Gabon lost their goalkeeper during the first half of the match due to injury, and they were reduced to nine players, with South Africa going into the halftime break leading 12-1.
Khwezi Khoza netted a double brace, Katlego Malebane and Nomfundo Nzuza got a hat-trick each, and Akhona Simamane scored a brace.
Ahead of the second half, Gabon picked up more injuries and the Match Commissioner was forced to make the call to end the game.
Law 3 in the FIFA Laws of the Game stipulates the following for a match to take place or continue. “A match is played by two teams, each with a maximum of eleven players; one must be the goalkeeper, A match may not start or continue if either team has fewer than seven players.”
The Gabon side only had six players remaining to play the match at the time the call was made. South Africa’s head coach Ntombifuthi Khumalo was not the happiest person at the stadium as these scenes played out, even though her team scored twelve goals.
Speaking to www.safa.net, Khumalo said she was happy that her players converted their chances, which was a great improvement for their last tournament, but was not pleased that the match was called off.
“We came to Gabon and prepared for 90 minutes of play. Although we understand and respect the laws of the game, the decision taken today hinders our plans as a team.”
South African Women’s U17 Head Coach Ntombifuthi Khumalo
“We have areas that we want to work on and really needed this game as we intend on progressing to the next round of World Cup qualifiers. So we are rather disappointed that the match had to be stopped.”
South Africa will travel back home on Sunday night where they will continue preparations for the second leg of qualifiers against Gabon. That match is scheduled for kickoff at 4pm CAT at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday, 18 January 2025.
FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup First Leg Qualifier Result
Saturday, 11 January 2025: Gabon 1 – 12 South Africa (Gabon, Franceville)
FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup First Leg Qualifier Fixture
Saturday 18 January 2025 – 16:00: South Africa v Gabon, Lucas Moripe Stadium
The SA U17 Women’s Football Squad
Zinhle Mafumo
Samkeliswe Mthembu
Sethabile Kamwande
Akhona Simamane
Andiswa Zuma
Bonolo Mokoma
Mashilo Molalakgotla
Michaela Swarts
Katleho Malebana
Alwande Mbatha
Nomfundo Nzuza
Tania Mohale
Rethabile Molefe
Lilani Horak
Khwezi Khoza
Busisiwe Mokoena
Leonay Kock
Nishaat Levy
Thorisho Mphelo
Lethuthando Mthembu
Original Copy: SAFA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: The South African Women’s U17 National side sealed an extraordinary 12-1 win in their first leg 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier away against Gabon, when the hosts’ inability to field a full team saw the match ended prematurely. All Photos: SAFA
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