Everyone in the South African camp is calling the last group stages fixture against Italy a ‘Cup Final’ – and with good reason.
The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana is on the threshold of history – a win will see them enter the history books as they would be in the Round of 16 for the first time ever.
But things would have been very different and perhaps less pressured had Desiree Ellis’ charges held on against Sweden and Argentina in their past two matches in Group G.
They took the lead against the Europeans but could not defend it, to go down 2-1.
Against the South Americans it was more heart break for the African Champions.
Two goals in either half by Linda Motlhalo (30’) and Thembi Kgatlana (66’) had them cruising with less than 20 minutes in this 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup clash.
But the unthinkable happened.
The South Americans hit back – twice!
First, defender Sophia Braun hit a stunning volley that gave Kaylin Swart no chance, then five minutes later Romina Nunez ensured Argentina stole a point from the depths of defeat – something that left the Banyana Banyana players reeling with shock.
“The goals just went in real quick, but I think it’s just a slip of focus and concentration. You can’t let these games go, this is where it’s at, this is where we win, this is where we lose, this is where big players, champions – this is where they show up and today honestly, we didn’t show up. I’m really angry, I don’t know whether it’s with myself, with the players or with the coaches, I don’t know but I’m not happy at all – I’m really angry at this point,” said Nomvula Kgoale who replaced Motlhalo late in the match.
The TS Galaxy Queens midfielder was playing in her first senior Women’s World Cup. She was part of the South African U17 FIFA Women’s World that participated in Trinidad and Tobago along with Kaylin Swart, Jermaine Seoposenwe and Robyn Moodaly.
Popularly known as the Lipstick Lady, Kgoale, who had a playing stint in the USA while studying, also signed in Spain for Cacereño before moving to CD Parquesol, and then returned home.
She was one of the influential figures in Morocco last year when Banyana Banyana lifted their maiden CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations trophy. And based on their exploits in North Africa, she believes they should have done things better against Argentina, especially when they were in control of the match.
“You could see from the beginning of the game that it could go both ways, it could go either way. I’m not surprised that it’s draw, but as a South African, as Banyana Banyana, an African Champion, I demand more of myself, I demand more of my teammates, I want to win, I want to win things, and this is where I show up, this is where my teammates are supposed to show up. This is where we are supposed to show the world who we are, right? But then again it didn’t go our way, disappointing. We had a few chances, actually more than a few chances today, I think we could have buried it, but we let it slip and it was ours. There was a lot of pressure, I am not going to lie, but it was ours to have,” added Kgoale.
After five matches in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, South Africa managed to grab their first point – following their debut in the tournament four years go in France.
But Kgoale says the point is perhaps not worth celebrating as they had all three in the bag but threw them away.
“I’m not happy, we got a point yeah, South Africa got their first point ever in the World Cup and for me it doesn’t make me happy. Again, I demand more, I want to go to the Round of 16. I am an African Champion, my teammates are, it’s supposed to be that way, that’s what we want, that’s who we are, and we just didn’t show up today in a way that we are supposed to. I don’t know what more we needed,” said Kgoale.
“I’m going to watch the game tonight, I don’t think I’m going to sleep because of how I feel. There is such fire in me. My teammates and I are supposed to go to the Round of 16, now it’s like it’s more heartbreak. Linda Motlhalo was crying on the field, it’s my first time watching my teammate cry like that because it’s so heartbreaking. You know what you’re supposed to do, you know that this was supposed to be our game to put us in a good position in order to go into the round of 16, now it’s like it’s more hard work for us. But that’s what’s sport is all about, right? I don’t know how I’m going to deal with these emotions here.”
Banyana Banyana are on the threshold of history and a win will see them progress to the Round of 16 in only their second FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance.
Italy, however, need only a draw to advance and join Sweden in the next round, while Argentina is also not out of the equation.
The Limpopo-born midfielder will be hoping they don’t repeat the same mistakes again when they face Italy to realise their dream.
(CentreCircle.online is at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup courtesy of Sasol, sponsors of Banyana Banyana)
