Ntombifuthi Khumalo: SA U17 women need World Cup Qualifier 2nd leg

Bantwana defeated the Central African nation 12-1 in last weekend’s abandoned first leg in Franceville, where the home team was left with only six players to play at the start of the second half. 

The return fixture is scheduled for Saturday at Lucas Moripe Stadium, and Khumalo says game-time is crucial ahead of the next round of qualifiers.

"It will not be good for us [if Gabon don't pitch] because, when preparing a team, playing a game helps you because that's how players get tested," said Khumalo.

"We also see what we have and what we need to fix, and what we do well, but if you're not playing then sometimes it's not good. But we will see what will happen."

Khumalo says it was important for them to get the away victory so they can be in control when playing at home, but adds that there are a lot of positives from the first leg.

"Winning away from home is very important, it's an advantage because that win can help when you end up drawing at home, and that win doubles your points,' she added.

"The positives from my team was that, when we attacked and created opportunities, we managed to score goals, and that's the most important thing.

"Because most of the time, when we created chances, we were not converting many of those opportunities, but for that game we were able to score the goals."

READ: No AFCON, World Cup for SA U17 Men's team