Maude Khumalo rues immaturity for World Cup qualifiers exit

Following a goalless draw with Burundi at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday, Basetsana needed to win their home leg on Wednesday.

However, a 2-all draw at the same venue was all they could muster, thereby knocking them out of the competition towards the qualification for Columbia 2024.

"It's sad, it's painful because if you look at these kids, they wanted it more but I've learned that there's so many aspects of the game that we need to teach our players. Tactically, when and how to play those balls because there were areas where I felt like they made a mistake and I believe that Burundi didn't work hard for those goals. Especially, the first goal, it was out but the keeper brought the ball inside and then she just dropped the ball and that's where they capitalised on our mistakes," Khumalo told SABC Sport.

Furthermore, the former Banyana Banyana player says the players' immaturity, ranging from 16 to 19 years of age, was evident in how they handled both legs of the match.

"We need to teach the inside of the game, the sense of urgency, that ball possession doesn't win the game. Players who are playing certain positions, they can't just run with the ball and then they must be able to use the space. We create chances because it's something that I was trying to teach them that if there's space in front of you there's no way you can kick that long ball. Get closer to your opponent, we attract the opponent to come closer to you, combine those chances, and take shots. Also the technique of how we kick the ball to the goalkeeper, it was not on point," she added.

Khumalo, who balances this national gig with coaching the University of Pretoria Ladies FC, argues that game-time in the Hollywoodbets Super League and Sasol League is the best way to improve Basetsana's standards.

"The game is the best teacher because the session [training] doesn't give the true reflection of the game. So, when you put them in the game you know where to work on because sometimes you find that we are playing against teams that are not competitive like Burundi but when you put them in the game you see that the element that needs to be fixed in this player is 1, 2, 3, 4. Then when they come to the national team we know that it's just those touch-ups and the combinations," Khumalo explained.

However, Khumalo accepts clubs in leagues will do what is best for them, which regrettably does not always involve prioritising providing young players with experience. 

"Definitely but we need to find the right moment to use the players. I can make an example of Mpho Nkadimeng, she's 16 but I used her when she was 15. That 10 minutes, that five minutes so that she can grow confidently and play with different opponents because at the end of the day, we don't have to waste time."