Sport
Khumalo Confident as Bantwana Aim To Secure World Cup Spot Against Nigeria
Bantwana of South Africa head coach, Ntombifuthi Khumalo, is determined to lead her team to the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Khumalo’s squad will face Nigeria’s Flamingos in the first leg of their second qualifying round at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday. Kick-off is set for 3 pm local time (2 pm in Nigeria).
Bantwana had a dominant run in the first round, crushing Gabon 22-1 on aggregate. However, Khumalo knows Nigeria will be a much tougher opponent.
“We are focused on getting to the World Cup,” Khumalo told safa.net. “Our plan is to manage each 15-minute period carefully, focusing on our defense to avoid conceding.”
She added that her team will play with an aggressive mindset. “We will press high and create scoring chances because we can’t win without attacking. But our main priority is to stay solid at the back and avoid conceding.”
Khumalo also mentioned that her team has worked on tactical adjustments, especially focusing on defense and pressing high up the pitch. The overall winner from this tie will advance to the final qualifying round.
Coventry City manager, Frank Lampard, speaks on team player and states how the player’s stance will help the team get into the Premier League.
The player is revealed to be Onyeka who he spoke about in the recent interview.
“He brings a different quality and probably a different profile to the midfield players we have.
“As I say, the profile is slightly different and I think that helps us in terms of the options and the competition in the middle of the park for us.”
Arsenal coach, Mikel Arteta, after their last match, shares an update on the injured team members after their last match.
He shared an update on Saka and stated that he is doing better after going through a hip injury. “His hip is improving a lot. Hopefully, he’ll be ready soon.”
He added about the other team members: “Martin is getting better and will be back in a few days, and Jurrien is fit for the weekend.”
Super Eagles footballer, Alex Iwobi, speaks on the World Cup and reveals their hope to play in the 2026 World Cup.
He shared that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is hopeful about hearing from them after they submitted a petition against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“I mean we’re still waiting, well hopefully we can go to the World Cup, but I feel it’s a tough one.
“It’s a tough one because winning AFCON is like… It’s a great legacy, it’s a great thing to have in your career, a memorable moment. But then at the same time, because I’ve been to the World Cup already, a lot of the players haven’t been.”
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