Team Doctor of the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana, Nthabiseng Maesela, says captain Refiloe Jane is close to returning to action after she was stretchered off in the 2-all draw against Argentina in Dunedin on Friday (28 July).
After being withdrawn in the 22nd minute following an awkward landing that involved her ankle, her place was taken by Kholosa Biyana.
Jane has been taken for a scan and was seen walking in a moonboot, suggesting that she could be out for a long period and miss the all-important clash against Italy in the final group stage match of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
But Dr Maesela provided some good news for Banyana Banyana who need to beat Italy and hope that Sweden continue with their winning streak when they face Argentina on the same day (Wednesday, 2 August) in Wellington and Hamilton respectively.
“With regards to Refiloe, as we all saw, she was taken off the field in a stretcher. She rolled her ankle and scans confirmed that it’s a minor injury, it’s a soft tissue injury. That’s something she should fully recover from, she should be back on the field soon – I cannot confirmed when for now, but the country should rest assured that she is doing well,” said Dr Maesela.
Jane was one of two players not training on Sunday (30 July) at Porirua Park – the other being Thembi Kgatlana who was said to be “not feeling well but should be fine’.
The forward scored against Argentina on Friday, becoming the first Banyana Banyana player to net in two consecutive World Cup tournaments. She also scored against Spain in 2019 in France.
The Racing Louisville forward picked up the Player of the Match award against the South Americans, after helping her country register their first ever point in the competition – but was disappointed by the result.
“It’s part of football, and it’s very disappointing that we were two goals up and we let it go. We scored first against Sweden, we let it go, and it’s more of working on lack of concentration in key moments. We are always concentrating, but in the key moments we switch off, we mess and we end having to concede. And the blame is not on the defence, it’s the entire team because it starts upfront, then in the middle and ends up in defence, and that’s something we have to improve in the next match against Italy. Now there is not time for excuses, the game is gone, bitter-sweet, but I think it’s a lesson for us overall,” said a Kgatlana.
Banyana Banyana have two more training sessions before they play the match that will determine whether they head back home or they rewrite the history books and proceed to the next round for the first time.
With Sweden already qualified for the last 16, the battle for second spot is between Italy, South Africa and Argentina where they will meet either the reigning World Champions USA, Netherlands or debutants Portugal.
Top finisher in Group G will face the runner up in Group E, while the second-placed team in Group G will come up against the Winner in Group E.
Group E fixtures
Portugal v USA – 1 August
Vietnam v Netherlands – 1 August
Group E – who needs what to qualify?
USA will qualify for the next phase with a win or a draw against Portugal.
Netherlands go through with a win or a draw against Vietnam. They can lose and go through provided USA defeat Portugal.
Portugal will qualify if they defeat USA. A draw would be enough if Vietnam beat Netherlands.
Vietnam have been eliminated.
(CentreCircle.online is at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup courtesy of Sasol, sponsors of Banyana Banyana)
