Khumalo announces Bantwana squad to compete against Tanzania in World Cup qualifier
Coach Ntombifuthi Khumalo of the South African U17 Women’s National team has announced a squad of 23 players to compete against Tanzania in a two-legged qualifier for the 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, set to take place later this month.
The initial match of the second round is set to take place in Zanzibar, Tanzania, on Saturday, 23 May at the New Aman Stadium, kicking off at 15h00 local time (16h00 in South Africa). The return match is scheduled for Sunday, 31 May, at a venue that has yet to be disclosed.
“When selecting a team, we first assess the nature of the competition, followed by an evaluation of the opposition.” “We have a nation filled with talented players, but it is crucial that they possess the right attitude. They must also exhibit bravery, as this is a significant stage that demands both physical and mental strength. Playing for the national team comes with numerous challenges, particularly when competing away from home,” stated Khumalo.
Bantwana progressed to this stage due to the withdrawal of the Central African Republic (CAR) from the qualifiers. Tanzania decisively overcame Botswana to secure their place in the second round.
The East Africans triumphed over The Zebras in two matches, winning 3-2 in Botswana and 3-0 at home.
“This World Cup qualifier is a knockout phase, making it crucial for us to secure victories in the next two matches to advance to the third and final round.” Eight long years have passed since we last qualified for this tournament, and it is detrimental for a country like South Africa to be absent from that level of competition. Securing a victory over Tanzania will bring us nearer to qualification and instill hope in both the team and the nation as a whole.
“I would like to express our gratitude to the Association, Adidas, and Standard Bank for their invaluable support.” The current Tanzania team remains somewhat of a mystery, as we were unable to obtain footage of their recent matches against Botswana. However, it is known that they employ a direct style of play and exhibit a physical approach on the field. “I am confident that we have a strong team, and I believe we will succeed,” stated Khumalo.
Bantwana will gather for camp on Friday, 15 May, and will leave for Zanzibar four days later, on Tuesday, 19 May.
The last round will take place in July. The 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup is set to take place from 17 October to 7 November 2026.
