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GLORY BECKONS: Basetsana's Gloria Thato, centre, is sandwiched by teammates during a practice session at Edenvale sports ground on Tuesday. Pic. Antonio Muchave. 10/06/08. © Sowetan.
GLORY BECKONS: Basetsana's Gloria Thato, centre, is sandwiched by teammates during a practice session at Edenvale sports ground on Tuesday. Pic. Antonio Muchave. 10/06/08. © Sowetan.

Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Raymond Hack, South African Football Association (Safa) chief executive, says there will be incentives for Basetsana if they beat the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The two teams meet in a Women's Under-20 World Cup qualifier in Kinshasa on Sunday.

But Hack would not be drawn into revealing what the players will get if they succeed against the Congolese.

"We should get rid of the perception of monetary incentives when it comes to players representing their country," said Hack, who sounded irritated by the question.

"The association will recognise the players' achievement in these qualifiers accordingly and we should not only talk about money when we talk about incentives."

Fran Hilton-Smith, Basetsana manager, also confirmed that Safa had promised the players "surprise" incentives.

"Anastasia Tsichlas [Safa convenor of women's football] has promised us that there will be incentives for the players but we don't know what the players would get if they qualify for the World Cup finals," she said.

Basetsana need all the support and encouragement to beat the Congolese as they try to make history by becoming the first junior team - boys or girls - to qualify for the World Cup finals in the country. Tsichlas could not be reached for comment.

Hilton-Smith stressed their focus was more on the match than on the incentives.

She said Basetsana are also motivated by messages of encouragement they received from overseas-based Banyana Banyana players ahead of this potentially tough tie.

The players who sent messages are said to be US-based Veronica Phewa and Linah Masebo, and Portia Modise who is in Denmark.

Banyana captain Keneilwe Mathibela also wished Basetsana luck but warned them to guard against complacency.

"We should not underestimate them just because we beat them in the first leg in Pretoria. We were punished for this in 2006 and it should not happen again," Mathibela said.

In 2006 Basetsana went to DRC with a 2-1 advantage but were beaten 1-0 away. This time they go there having beaten their opponents 3-1 in the first leg.

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