Banyana Banyana qualified for their maiden FIFA Women’s World Cup and faced Spain in the opening on this day (8 June 2019).
The clash took place at Stade Océane in Le Havre.
This is how it unfolded!
Led by captain Janine van Wyk, South Africa started well and took an early lead through prolific forward Thembi Kgatlana in the first half to take a 1-0 advantage at the break – this was Banyana Banyana’s first goal at a FIFA World Cup at this level.
Desiree Ellis’ charges held their own in the opening half .
But things unravelled in the second stanza.
Two penalties against South Africa and Spain was back in it – a red card to defender Nothando Vilakazi, two more goals and Banyana Banyana ended on the losing after much promise early in the match.
The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana were under pressure from the get go in this half.
The Spaniards were awarded a penalty after Van Wyk was adjudged to have handled in the box – Jennifer Hermoso equalised from 12 metres with 20 minute left on the clock.
Another penalty for La Roja with about eight minutes remaining – this after defender Nothando Vilakazi was said to have fouled Lucia Garcia. The South African was shown her second yellow card and sent off (becoming the first Banyana Banyana player to be sent in a FIFA Women’s World Cup).
Spain took a 2-1 lead from the spot, Hermoso again making sure with her second goal in the match.
But with one player short, it was always going to be a mountain to climb, and Banyana Banyana conceded in the dying minutes of the match when Spain netted their third of the evening to make it 3-1.
It was a valiant effort but not enough to give them positive results.
“Very proud of the team they put in a great performance. We said they will never give up and that’s exactly what they did. We didn’t get the result but we’re very happy with the performance. We took the game to Spain at times and if we took our chances it could have ended differently. It was a good performance and I think everyone back home can be very proud of this team,” said Ellis at the time.
It was a day of many firsts for South Africa:
- The Banyana Banyana team walking for the first time ever onto the field in a FIFA Women’s World Cup
- The South African flag flying high at this tournament
- The South African national anthem being sung at this competition
- Desiree Ellis being the first ever coach to guide a South African Senior Women’s National Team in the tournament
- Janine van Wyk becoming the first player to captain the team at this level
- Thembi Kgatlana becoming the first South African to score for Banyana Banyana in a World Cup – thereby becoming the first African player to score against a European side in the tournament since 1995
- Nothando Vilakazi becoming the first ever Banyana Banyana player to be red carded in the World Cup
- Jermaine Seoposenwe becoming the first South African female to play in two different World Cup tournaments at different levels (U-17 and Banyana Banyana)
- It was also the first time they faced Spain in any competition
Here’s how Banyana Banyana lined up for the historic match:
Banyana: Andile Dlamini (GK), Lebogang Ramalepe, Nothando Vilakazi, Janine Van Wyk (c), Noko Matlou, Amanda Mthandi (Jermaine Seoposenwe 55′), Kholosa Biyana, Refiloe Jane, Linda Motlhalo (Busisiwe Ndimeni 51′), Thembi Kgatlana, Ode Fulutudilu.
Subs: Mapaseka Mpuru (GK), BambananiMbane, Karabo Dhlamini, Jermaine Seoposenwe, Tiisetso Makhubela, Bongeka Gamede, Busisiwe Ndimeni, Rhoda Mulaudzi, Sibulele Holweni, Mamello Makhabane, Leandra Smeda, Kaylin Swart (GK)
MATCH OFFCIALS:
REFEREE: MARIA CARVAJAL (CHILE)
ASST. REF 1: LESLIE VASQUEZ (CHILE)
ASST. REF 2: LORETO TOLOZA (CHILE)
4THOFFICIAL: LAURA FORTUNATO (ARG)
By Matlhomola Morake
