Linda Moreotsene

Linda Moreotsene

Anna Monate, the national Under-20 team coach, is a hard woman to please.

In her first official match as head coach, and her team's first World Cup qualifying match, against Mozambique on Sunday, the girls did not simply win, they handed the Mozambicans a 4-0 walloping, courtesy of a Mamello Makhabane brace, with Kylie-Ann Louw and Tina Selepe scoring one goal each.

But this result has failed to excite the coach, herself a former national player.

Monate lamented the girls' lack of ruthlessness given the opportunity.

"Don't get me wrong, I am happy with the win, the game was okay. However, we missed a lot more chances - we were so dominant," said Monate.

She said the trouble was, everyone wanted to be the hero.

"There was selfishness and too much individuality. We will have to put more emphasis on team work from now on. But at least they are still young and can be helped," Monate said.

This result afforded Basetsana a dream start to their World Cup campaign, but there is still a long way to go, and tougher opponents than the Mozambicans await.

"It is absolutely essential that we maintain our momentum and eventually qualify for the two spots reserved for African teams. We play Mozambique next week, and we go there with a clean sheet, which is good," Monate said.

She said the time for mediocrity has passed.

The girls are now regularly reminded of how good they have it at the High Performance Centre and are consequently beginning to prove they are indeed worth it.