Ntombifuthi Khumalo Rallies Bantwana Ahead of World Cup Qualifier Decider in Nairobi
The South African U17 Women’s National Team, Bantwana, have it all to do in the return fixture after going down 2-0 to Kenya in the opening leg of the third and final round of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, Tshwane on Saturday, 4 July 2026.
Two goals, one in each half, settled a tense first leg in the East Africans’ favour and handed the visitors the advantage heading into the return match in Nairobi. Faith Boke struck first in the 13th minute to quieten the home crowd, before Brenda Achieng doubled the lead on the hour mark.
Bantwana had a golden chance to level matters around the 20-minute mark when they won a penalty, but captain Katleho Malebana saw her spot-kick kept out by alert Kenya goalkeeper Michel Okoyo Ng’ono. It proved a decisive moment in a first half where the hosts struggled to find their rhythm.
Ntombifuthi Khumalo’s side responded with far greater purpose after the interval, showing more control and fashioning openings, but the finishing touch continued to elude them. The head coach reshuffled her pack in the second half in search of a way back, yet the scoreline held firm.
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“We didn’t play well in the first half as per the plan, but we managed to talk to the girls because they were nervous, and then second half we tried to control the game. The result is not good for us, but I was happy with the chances that we created, now we need to work more on how to convert,” said Bantwana head coach Ntombifuthi Khumalo.
“I saw a lot of improvement in this game, and we will go back and correct some mistakes, and go to the second leg with confidence.”
Bantwana Head Coach, Ntombifuthi Khumalo
The missed penalty was one of several moments that could have altered the complexion of the tie, and Khumalo remains convinced that her squad has the character to turn the deficit around away from home.
“I always say the difficult game is playing at home, especially when you play such games because you have a lot of pressure not to concede, but I am positive with my team that we will come back in the second leg,” Khumalo added.
South Africa reached this final round the hard way, receiving a bye when the Central African Republic withdrew in the opening round before edging a stubborn Tanzania 2-0 on aggregate in the second. That same resilience will be called upon in Nairobi, where Bantwana must overturn the two-goal deficit to keep their World Cup dream alive.
The South Africans depart for East Africa on Thursday ahead of the return leg at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Sunday, 12 July 2026. The overall winner between the two nations will book a place at the 10th edition of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, scheduled for Morocco between 17 October and 7 November this year.
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The African continent has been allocated five places at the finals, with hosts Morocco taking one of them, leaving the remaining four to be settled across this decisive final round. Qualification would cap a demanding campaign for Khumalo’s group and return South Africa’s youngsters to the global stage.
With 90 minutes still to play, the qualifier is far from settled. Khumalo’s charges have shown throughout the campaign that they can dig deep when it matters, and an early goal in Nairobi would swing the momentum firmly back in South Africa’s favour.
The South Africa vs. Kenya FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Qualifier, Third and Final Round, from Saturday, 4 July 2026 to Sunday, 12 July 2026
First leg, Saturday, 4 July 2026
South Africa 0-2 Kenya at the Lucas Moripe Stadium, Atteridgeville
(Faith Boke 13′, Brenda Achieng 60’)
Second leg, Sunday, 12 July 2026, (kick-off time TBC):
Kenya vs. South Africa at the Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi
Kenya lead 2-0 on aggregate.
South Africa U17 Women’s National Team Starting XI
16 Dakalo Mafumo (Goalkeeper)
2 Ntokozo Paradzayi
4 Alwande Mbatha
9 Thorisho Mphelo
5 Whitney Havene
10 Katleho Malebana (Captain)
6 Okuhle Sithole
12 Rethabile Molefe
8 Katlego Mohale
7 Khwezi Khoza
15 Aaliyah Jacobs
Substitutes
Akhona Simamane
Andiswa Zuma
Farah Thomas
Leonay Kock
Lisakhanya Situlweni
Othandwayo Zondani
Pulane Moloi
Samkelisiwe Mthembu (Goalkeeper)
Sinenhlanhla Dutywa
Kenya U17 Women’s Starting XI
Michel Okoyo Ng’ono (Goalkeeper)
Pauline Namisi
Fleviah Khatenje
Bevarline Awuor
Brenda Awuor
Mwanakombo Bakari
Noelina Akuku
Lindey Weey
Faith Boke
Gaudancia Maloba
Brenda Achieng
Main Photo Caption: SA U17 Women’s skipper Katleho Malebana pictured in possession during the match. Bantwana head coach Ntombifuthi Khumalo has vowed that the South African U17 Women’s National Team will come back stronger in the second leg of their FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Kenya. Photo: SAFA
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