Four years ago in France, the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana were rookies going in their maiden FIFA Women’s World Cup.
They could not get out of their group after losses to Spain, China and Germany.
Against the Spaniards, they took the lead courtesy of a beautiful curler by star forward Thembi Kgatlana – their first and only FIFA Women’s World Cup goal.
They managed to be in front until the 69th minute and what followed was disaster – first they lost defender Nothando Vilakazi through a red card, and allowed in three goals to go down 3-1. They stood their ground for a while against the Asians in the second match, but were defeated 1-0, while they had no chance in the last group stages match, losing 4-0 to a well-oiled German machine.
The South Africans return to the scene armed with a lot of experience after they were crowned continental champions in Morocco last year – winning all six of their fixtures as they marched to the title.
“In 2019 it was our first World Cup and we didn’t know what to expect, but this time around we go there as African Champions. It is not going to be easy, but I know the team will hard to show why we are here and more so we promised the people back home that we will do our best,” defender Bambanani Mbane told SAFA.net
Desiree Ellis’ charges go into their first battle at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup against Sweden, the second best women’s team in the world after the USA.
The clash takes place at the Wellington Stadium in New Zealand on Sunday at 07h00 South African time.
This will be the fifth meeting, with the Europeans leading the charge of three wins, while one match was drawn (0-0 in a friendly fixture played in Cape Town in January 2019).
Both sides, however, come into this game high on confidence despite contrasting results in their final World Cup preparations matches.
Banyana Banyana brushed aside Costa Rica while Sweden shared the spoils against a tough-as-teak Norway side.
The good run was evident even during the World Cup qualifiers – the European outfit finished top of their group, while South Africa clinched their first ever WAFCON title.
“There’ a lot of nerves, we want to do well in our first game but we all know Sweden is a very good team. In order for us to excel we need to bring out A game and stay compact. They are very clinical so we need to make sure we cut down on crosses and supplies more so because they are taller than us. We are at a stage where we understand where we are at and we have no choice but to do well,” added goalkeeper Andile Dlamini speaking to SAFA.net
“The difference between now and 2019 is that we have grown both as a team and as individuals thanks to competitions in between the two World Cup tournaments. We have also matured very well, as most of us were very young four years ago.”
Sweden are pushovers.
They have had four podium finishes – (1991, 2003, 2011, 2019) without lifting the trophy.
Their closest was in 2003 when they reached the final.
Sweden also finished second at the Olympics in 2020.
Ellis is also around to guide the team in their second back-to-back tournament, and will be eager to get South Africa’s first win in the tournament.
“Everything hinges on the first game [and getting] a good start, because after that first game you can plan how you want to go about it,” Ellis told FIFA.com
“In 2019 we planned for that first game. Unfortunately towards the end, it didn’t go our way. But we are four years older, the team has matured a lot over the last four years. Our players are playing very top football, especially the ones playing abroad.”
Argentina and Italy are the other two teams in the Group.
This will also be a great occasion for midfielder Refiloe Jane who will be captaining the team in the tournament – ably assisted by Dlamini and Thembi Kgatlana as vice captains.
By Matlhomola Morake
