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.
Head coach of Atletico Madrid, Diego Simeone, speaks on team defense and called out a player who needs to toughen up. He shared that Ademola Lookman needs to work on defense.
“Ademola Lookman arrived with great enthusiasm and desire to keep growing. We need him to add defensive work to what he already gives us offensively, because he has that ability,” he then added.
“He’s shown it with the Nigeria national team, and we need him in that role.”
Former football legend Paul Merson states that Mohammad Salah is the greatest winger of all time.
While also praising Bukayo Saka for being the winger in form right now.
When asked in a recent interview, he stated “For the best right now, it’s probably [Bukayo] Saka for his all-around game. I will go Salah, because the numbers he’s put up are ridiculous.”
Former player Paul Merson shares his predictions on this weekend’s Premier League games.
He shared Leeds United vs Manchester City – Prediction: Leeds 1-1 Manchester City.
Manchester United vs Crystal Palace – Prediction: Manchester United 3-0 Crystal Palace.
Arsenal vs Chelsea – Prediction: Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea.
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