It’s all systems go in COSAFA Women’s Championship for Bantwana |

It’s all systems go for South Africa’s U17 women’s national team, known as Bantwana, ahead of the COSAFA Cup Championship set to start on Thursday, 1 December 2022, in Malawi.

Bantwana are in Group A alongside the hosts Malawi and Mauritius. 

The tournament was initially set to be played in a single pool of five teams. However, things changed when Comoros requested a late entry to the competition.

Bantwana coach Delisilwe Mbatha says her troops are in a confident mood to make the country proud following their arrival in Malawi on Monday. 

South Africa will take on the hosts on Thursday with the hope of collecting maximum points.

MBATHA ON BANTWANA’S READINESS… 

‘’We had a very good training camp at Fun Valley for the whole week,” Mbatha told SAFA media.

“The girls are fit, they are young, skilful, and we are looking forward to a great COSAFA tournament,’’

‘’We are determined to go through to the group stages and it would be nice to finish top in our group so that we face the second-placed side in Group B. 

“We want to go all the way and bring the trophy home.”

She further stated that the team had some friendlies with Sasol League sides before heading to Malawi for the regional tournament.

‘’We played friendly matches against SASOL teams and already the girls showed character by winning both friendly matches,” she explained. 

“We beat Diepkloof Ladies 3-1, a very formidable side.

“The second game was against Home Sweepers from Springs who we beat 4-1, so there are lots of positives in the team.

‘’They are really looking good and I am sure this is the team for the future and we want to make South Africa proud.”

And now, Mbatha reckons that they will need to shift their focus on tactical awareness for her players to get used to each other better.

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