Two goals in five minutes in the final 20 minutes saw the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana share the spoils against Argentina in a Group G fixture in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The clash took place on Friday, 28 August in Dunedin, New Zealand, with the draw giving the South Africans their first World Cup point in five matches.
But it could so easy have been different after Desiree Ellis’ charges took command of the game, going into a two-nil lead, but failed to protect their advantage.
Played in front of just 8,834 fans at the magnificent, covered Dunedin Stadium, Linda Motlhalo scored her first ever World Cup goal in the 30th minute after a pass from Thembi Kgatlana.
Initially the tap in was ruled offside but the VAR review changed the decision.
After the recess, Banyana Banyana continued where they left off and doubled their advantage in the 66th minute through Kgatlana following hard work by fellow forward Jermaine Seoposenwe.
South Africa seemed to be cruising until what can be described as ‘five minutes of craziness’.
The South Americans got back into the game with a wonderful Sofia Braun strike in the 74th minute – perhaps one of the contenders of the Goal of the Tournament – that gave Kaylin Swart in the Banyana Banyana goals no chance.
Before the African Champions could recover from the setback, Argentina struck again five minutes later and restored parity – this time a Romina Nunez header that settled in the back of the South African net – Banyana Banyana letting another lead slip, just like they did against Sweden in the opening match of the competition where they lost 2-1.
With an attack-minded approach, South Africa once again squandered several goal scoring chances that could have changed the complexion of the match.
The draw more than favours Argentina who looked out of sorts in the opening stages of the match but clawed their way back into contention for victory.
“I don’t think it was the defence that was the problem, the defence held out really well. It was the chances we created, it was the moments when we got into the final third and made the wrong decisions, the players running free on goal. If we had made better decisions, we would be talking differently right now,” said a clearly disappointed Ellis.
“We cannot create all those chances, and then they get those two chances at the back and they score. It’s about taking our chances and making the right decisions in the final third. It is about getting goals and doesn’t matter who does – if we don’t take those chances, it comes back to haunt us. We gave a lot in the Sweden match, this result (against Argentina) hurts more because we were in complete control of the match but failed to finish off the match. We need to look at ourselves all of us and ask ourselves what can we do better. We need to take responsibility.”
Earlier, South Africa lost the services of captain Refiloe Jane to an ankle injury 22 minutes into the match – it is still not clear if she will have recovered for the final group stages clash against Italy on Wednesday, 2 August.
In the matchup against Argentina, she was replaced by Kholosa Biyana, who received her second yellow card of the tournament and will not be available for the next clash.
“It was unfortunate to lose FIFI so early, then Kholosa came in and we had to take her off because she was in danger (of getting a red card). To be fair, we haven’t gotten the protection in the games, we haven’t gotten the decisions going our way in both games,” added Ellis.
Five changes were made in the game: Biyana in for Jane, but also replaced by Tiisetso Makhubela. Nomvula Kgoale, Melinda Kgadiete, Sibulele Holweni checked in for Motlhalo, Kgatlana and Cesane respectively.
However much they tried to regain their dominance and snatch a winning goal, Banyana Banyana had to settle for a point – with the South Americans salvaging a share of the spoils from the jaws of defeat.
While the draw has kept alive both nations’ chances of progression into the last 16, it also leaves them with a mountain to climb as they head into their final group stage fixtures – Argentina will be up against Sweden, while South African takes on Italy.
“We have to win, no two ways about it. But it also depends on the result between Italy and Sweden, but we can only do what we can do. Today was a great opportunity to put ourselves a step ahead but it is not all lost, we just have to regroup and we have a very short turnaround time. We have put ourselves in this position by not converting our chances,” said Ellis.
Kgatlana was named Visa Player of the Match.
The squad has been given a day off to recharge the batteries and will return to the training field on Sunday (30 July) to prepare for Italy.
Both South Africa and Argentina have a point each, while Sweden and Italy are on three each.
(CentreCircle.online is at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup courtesy of Sasol, sponsors of Banyana Banyana)
