THE dreams of Basetsana, the Under-20 national women's squad, of reaching the World Cup are on track after a 6-0 trouncing of Zambia in Eldorado Park on Saturday.
THE dreams of Basetsana, the Under-20 national women's squad, of reaching the World Cup are on track after a 6-0 trouncing of Zambia in Eldorado Park on Saturday.
The first leg goal fest was just what coach Augustine Makalakalane ordered, considering Basetsana still have to face the Zambians at home in two weeks' time.
"I am satisfied that we have improved in our goalscoring efforts. For the first time we took all our opportunities and are certainly moving in the right direction. We moved from scoring two goals in Reunion, to four in the second leg and now we have six.
"The girls are truly paying attention to the game plan," Makalakalane said.
On Saturday Basetsana hit the ground running as midfielder Lerato Kgasago rattled the net in the first minute of the match through a free kick.
Chantelle Esau then doubled the lead with a long-range strike before Kate Nhlapo scored the first of her two goals of the day in the 29th, and a minute later, new cap Lindeleni Magutshwa made it four, ensuring a cozy lead before the break.
Thirteen minutes into the second half Nhlapho grabbed her second goal and took her tally in this competition to three.
Second-half substitute Bontle Mashilo completed the demolition job with a brilliant header in the 89th.
"Well done to the whole team, but I'd like to commend the defenders for not conceding. We are not finished, though. We still need to score a goal or two in Zambia to make sure we go through," Makalakalane said.
Despite the comfortable lead, the coach will resist the urge to change the team.
"I always try to keep the same team. Today we had a lot of players that scored - one of them even came from the bench - and it is good for continuity. On Friday we spent a lot of time on set-pieces, and in the match we scored three, something we should keep working on going forward," he said.
Basetsana on high after demolishing Zambia
THE dreams of Basetsana, the Under-20 national women's squad, of reaching the World Cup are on track after a 6-0 trouncing of Zambia in Eldorado Park on Saturday.
THE dreams of Basetsana, the Under-20 national women's squad, of reaching the World Cup are on track after a 6-0 trouncing of Zambia in Eldorado Park on Saturday.
The first leg goal fest was just what coach Augustine Makalakalane ordered, considering Basetsana still have to face the Zambians at home in two weeks' time.
"I am satisfied that we have improved in our goalscoring efforts. For the first time we took all our opportunities and are certainly moving in the right direction. We moved from scoring two goals in Reunion, to four in the second leg and now we have six.
"The girls are truly paying attention to the game plan," Makalakalane said.
On Saturday Basetsana hit the ground running as midfielder Lerato Kgasago rattled the net in the first minute of the match through a free kick.
Chantelle Esau then doubled the lead with a long-range strike before Kate Nhlapo scored the first of her two goals of the day in the 29th, and a minute later, new cap Lindeleni Magutshwa made it four, ensuring a cozy lead before the break.
Thirteen minutes into the second half Nhlapho grabbed her second goal and took her tally in this competition to three.
Second-half substitute Bontle Mashilo completed the demolition job with a brilliant header in the 89th.
"Well done to the whole team, but I'd like to commend the defenders for not conceding. We are not finished, though. We still need to score a goal or two in Zambia to make sure we go through," Makalakalane said.
Despite the comfortable lead, the coach will resist the urge to change the team.
"I always try to keep the same team. Today we had a lot of players that scored - one of them even came from the bench - and it is good for continuity. On Friday we spent a lot of time on set-pieces, and in the match we scored three, something we should keep working on going forward," he said.