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SA ready for Tanzania

AIMING TO WIN: The SA women's under-20 soccer team is ready to take on Tanzania in the first leg of their Fifa Women's World Cup qualifier tomorrow. Photo: Gallo Images/Lefty Shivambu
AIMING TO WIN: The SA women's under-20 soccer team is ready to take on Tanzania in the first leg of their Fifa Women's World Cup qualifier tomorrow. Photo: Gallo Images/Lefty Shivambu

THE South African women's under-20 soccer team will take on Tanzania in the first leg of their Fifa under-20 Women's World Cup qualifier in Dar es Salaam tomorrow.

Basetsana coach Sheryl Botes said she was satisfied with her team's preparations for the crucial match.

"I am confident the girls will do well despite playing against a team we have no information [about].

"If I base our attack on what we have been working on over the past few weeks, the girls will do well.

"I have told the girls that we could meet tough conditions, so we have to be prepared to meet any possible situation. Mental toughness is key," Botes said.

South Africa edged past Botswana, and Tanzania defeated Mozambique in the previous round.

The third and penultimate round will take place in January, when four teams will battle it out to determine the two teams that will gain automatic qualification for the tournament.

Two teams from the continent will join 14 others for the finals in Toronto, Canada, in August.

A squad of 20 players left for the East African country on Thursday morning.

Vuyo Mkhabela and Kaylin Swart have also joined the squad, having been released from the University Sport SA championships.

"Vuyo and Kaylin are both key players who will start in the match [tomorrow]," Botes said.

"They are coming fresh from a tournament where they reached the semifinal, so they have that winning mentality and that will be an advantage to us."

The squad: Goalkeepers: Kaylin Swart, Regirl Ngobeni, Juliet Sethole.

Defenders: Vuyo Mkhabela, Meagan Newman, Nomonde Nomtsheke, Caryn van Reyneveld, Abongile Dlani, Tiisetso Makhubela.

Midfielders: Nomvula Kgoale, Koketso Mamabolo, Amanda November, Amanda Mthandi, Amogelang Motau, Thembi Kgatlane, Gabriella Salgado.

Strikers: Shiwe Nogwanya, Mosili Makhoali, Lesego Nkoana, Sduduzo Dlamini.

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