Coach Maude Khumalo believes mental toughness will be the key for South Africa who are looking to make history by qualifying for a first-ever FIFA U20 Women World Cup.

 The South African side are set to take on familiar foes Nigeria in tomorrow's first leg, final round qualifying match at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

Both teams will go into the game with an impressive high goalscoring record in their previous qualifiers, thereby setting up a mouth-watering clash to anticipate.

Nevertheless, Khumalo noted the fierce rivalry between the two countries and maintained her players have what it takes to beat Nigeria who have always had the upper hand against South Africa in past meetings.

"It's fitting that we play Nigeria at this stage of the qualifications. The age-old rivalry between our two nations extends throughout all the national teams," Khumalo told Soccer Laduma.

 "We are going to play the best in the World Cup then we need to be able to beat the best. The pressure is definitely there, but we need to look at the bigger picture. We are the verge of making history to qualify for the Women's World Cup for the first time ever.

"The players have wanted to play at this level and to achieve this for their families and the country. Now they have to go out there and show it in front of the nation. I believe in them and I know we have what it takes to do it," she added.

South Africa thrashed Namibia 9-0 and Burundi 5-2 on aggregate to reach the final stage of the qualifying campaign, while Nigeria hammered Tanzania 9-0 and Morocco 6-2 home and away respectively.

The 2018 FIFA U20 Women World Cup finals is set to be staged in France between the 5th and 24th of August.


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