By Kopano Dibakwane
Banyana Banyana made South Africans very proud by qualifying for the next round of the 2023 FIFA World Cup. This follows a well-deserved 3-2 victory against Italy on Wednesday at the Wellington Regional stadium. It was a magnificent display because the team is going into the last sixteen round for the first time ever.
Banyana Banyana’s dream of winning the match was hanging on a thread when they conceded a goal in the 11th minute following a well-taken penalty from Italian striker Caruso Ariana, but their hopes were fully restored in the 32nd minute when Italian defender Orsi Benedetta scored an own goal. The two teams went into the first half with a 1-1 draw.
Hilda Magala scored for Banyana in the 67th minute, putting her team ahead of the Italians. A lapse of concentration saw Banyana Banyana giving the Italian goal poacher Ariana a chance to level the score in the 74th minute and securing a brace.
The South African ladies regrouped and their hard work was rewarded in the 92nd minute when team captain Thembi Kgatlana netted the third and winning goal of the match which sent Banyana Banyanastraight into the last 16 stage.
BanyanaBanyaba head coach, Desiree Ellis, congratulated the ladies for their resilience and sheer courage.
” This team can fight till the bitter end. Everyone was amazing. It was real team work on the bench and on the field. We gave everything against Sweden and Argentina but we said we’ve got to give more. It’s not just for us, it’s for everyone back home. This is bigger than us, it’s for everyone involved in women’s football. We still had belief that we can go to the next round,” said Ellis.
The team received well-wishes from many South Africans, including state president Cyril Ramaphosa and SAFA(South African Football Association) president, Danny Jordaan, amongst others.
Banyana Banyana will face Netherlands on 6 August at the Allianz stadium in Sydney. This time around they will go into the game with the full knowledge that all South Africans are cheering for them.
Well done Banyana Banyana!
