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SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao has vowed they will back Basetsana to succeed in their quest to qualify for their first-ever FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
The SA U-20 women’s national team, led by coach Maud Khumalo, will be chasing a win in the first leg qualifier away to Eswatini at Somhlolo National Stadium this afternoon.
Speaking to SABC Sport, Monyepao says it will be a massive achievement for the association to have their U-20 girls experience the World Cup for the first time.
“We are excited to have our Basetsana back in Camp. They are currently playing away in Eswatini, then they come back to play at home in the second leg,” said Monyepao.
“I mean, this is actually the only team that has not qualified for a FIFA World Cup, and hence we are putting in as much support for them to make sure they qualify. It will mean a lot for the team and for the federation.”
Monyepao says the SA football motherbody has done a good job when it comes to talent identification, with the 22-player squad currently in Eswitini having been selected from the Sasol League, Hollywoodbets Super and mostly groomed at the SAFA Academy.
“We are excited to have the kind of players who make up the squad. We have developed a good system when it comes to talent identification,” she added.
“We have set up structures for players to experience high performance football, so that they don’t panic whenever they play in big competitions.”
Monyepao admits that it will not be an easy journey for Basetsana to earn their first World Cup qualification, but the association is open to supporting the team in every way for the team to focus on football and getting the required results.
“We want them to tell us the kind of support they need from us as the federation, but more than anything we are open to go all the way to make sure we back the team and provide what is best for them to qualify.
“We also have an interim Technical Director that is guiding the team,’’ she concluded.
