Sport Reporter
South Africa’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup ended on Sunday after Bantwana suffered a 3-1 defeat by Kenya in the second leg of their final qualifying tie at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Kenya advanced 5-1 on aggregate after winning the opening leg 2-0 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria on 4 July.
South Africa, needing at least two goals to force their way back into the tie, made an ideal start when captain Katleho Malebana put the visitors ahead after five minutes.
Bantwana took their 1-0 lead into halftime and remained within one goal of levelling the aggregate score, but Kenya took control during the closing stages of the second half.
Gaudencia Maloba equalised in the 71st minute, restoring Kenya’s two-goal aggregate advantage and leaving South Africa with an increasingly difficult task.
Brenda Awuor then converted a late penalty before substitute Elizabeth Opiyo added Kenya’s third goal to complete the hosts’ comeback.
The defeat eliminated Ntombifuthi Khumalo’s side from the qualifiers and denied South Africa a place at the tournament in Morocco.
Kenya, who made their U-17 Women’s World Cup debut in the Dominican Republic in 2024, qualified for the global tournament for a second successive edition.
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