The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana fought gallantly against the third-ranked Sweden in their opening match of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Wellington, New Zealand on Sunday, 23 July.
The South Africans took a lead early in the second half (48’) but the Europeans dug deep to equalise (64’) shortly thereafter, before finding the winner at the dearth (90’) to walk away with a 2-1 win.
Despite the loss, Desiree Ellis’ charges have been praised for their performance from many quarters, including the South African Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Zizi Kodwa, who was in attendance at the match at a wet and gloomy Wellington Regional Stadium.
Banyana Banyana next face Argentina in the second match in Dunedin on Friday, 28 July.
But here’s what they said about the clash against Sweden:
Desiree Ellis – Banyana Banyana Head Coach:
We had a game plan and I thought it worked throughout, we were defensively very sound. We knew that they were going to be a challenge at set-pieces and I thought we handled that very well. Our transitions could have been a better. Our decisions in the final third, if that was better, we would be speaking a different result now. We have been working on all those things and as the game went on we tried to effect changes to make sure that we stand fast. Unfortunately, we conceded at a moment when we were in complete control and that put us back a bit. To concede right at the end is a bit cruel, but that is football. Even though we lost, we are very proud of the way we played. We might not have had the type of preparation we wanted, but this group of players showed resilience. We could have won it, so for that we are feeling positive and confident for the next two matches. As for Hilda Magaia, she put in the ball over the line at the back of the goal post, she fell with her hand and knee. Unfortunately, she could not continue, but I am hopeful she will be fine for the next game.
Zizi Kodwa: Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture
Look, Sweden is ranked number three in the world, and we are African Champions, but I think the composure and the confidence, the short passes and the weather as well can impact (on the play) – I’m sure there are some lessons to be taken back by the coaching staff to see how best to improve because I see chances of improvement. I attended one of their training sessions and I was quite happy with the confidence, I think they’re playing as a team, and they need one or two things. This is the highest stage of competition, but I think that we have reached this stage (World Cup stage) and scored the first goal with Sweden, that in itself means that indeed we are quite ready for this tournament and I’m sure that the next games against Italy and Argentina, we will do our best. I think going back home one of the homework we must undertake is to fast track the process to professionalize the women’s Football League so that we can compete at this stage and sustain that as we prepare and bid for the 2027 FIFA Women’ World Cup, so that we can perform much better. You can see that some of the countries performing here have professionalized their leagues but also you can see that these are people who have been performing and participating in the world Women’s World cup for some time and I think we can do better next time. I’m very happy with their performance.
Nozipho Mbatha – Sasol Senior Manager: Group Brand & Sponsorships:
Congratulations to the courageous Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana for their incredible display on the field. This heart-pumping match kept us on the edge of our seats, showcasing the intensity of the world’s biggest football competition. While the result may not have been what we hoped for, we’re thrilled that Banyana Banyana embraced their #LiveTheImpossible mantra. The team executed their months of hard work and planning with determination. As Sasol, we stand proud as their number one fan and urge fellow South Africans to show their support by sending messages of encouragement through our social media platforms.
Refiloe Jane – Banyana Banyana Captain:
It was a difficult game like we anticipated. I think we played a good match, they scored on our mistakes, and we hold our heads up high and move on to the next one. I think it was just a fair-weather conditions, I mean it was raining for both teams, and we knew that the pitch was going to be slippery as we were aware of the weather conditions coming into the game. I just think what we could have done better is used the chances that we got – other than that I think we played a good match. It’s going to be important to now reflect back, obviously go back look what we did right, we did wrong, and then move on to the next game – we take it one game at a time. We prepared for Sweden, now we move on to prepare for Argentina and then we keep on going. It’s not over yet, there’s still two more games to go, so all is not lost. It’s a disappointing result I won’t deny that, but there are two more games to go, we can’t just throw in the towel – we still have a chance.
Kaylin Swart – Banyana Banyana Goalkeeper:
I think today was about fine margins. Yes, we obviously tried to work on all these things that happened in the game, and I think we really showed so much character tonight, I think we can look back at this game and hope that we just take all the positives and go into the next game with a lot more confidence and knowing that we all capable of playing these big teams. And I think we surprised them quite a bit, I don’t think they saw that one coming but yeah, it’s just little things that we got to work on, and I mean if you look at it, they are five times taller than us – so it was tough. We tried to contain them when they came to set pieces but obviously like I said it’s fine margins that lost us again today. There were moments where we held onto the ball quite a bit and we really showed character, we showed that we can play possession football but if you are defending for long periods obviously the shifting becomes less and less, so we just got to keep working once we get back onto the training field. I’m sure the coaches will have a plan for the next game, but there are so many positives to take from this one and we look forward to the next one. I wouldn’t say it’s a setback, I think this will fuel us more for the next one. We had great moments and if we can continue on those great moments, I think the next game will be a better showing for us. We are disappointed tonight but tomorrow we’ll dust ourselves off and go again.
Thembi Kgatlana – Banyana Banyana Forward:
Tough result but I must say a very proud team effort. The fact that we scored first, and they had to change the game that’s something that you never see us do to be in control of the game and to keep on pushing. I think we had chances in the first half. They’re very aggressive at the start of the game so we contain them very well, but we knew that any team has a strength and a weakness, and their weakness is that coming from the halftime they’re always slow to start, so it was good for us to capitalize. Now we need to build on the positive, that we learn from this. Anyone who could have played against Sweden knew that the game plan is, if they have to score it is only on headers, but realistically speaking they had nothing. We kept the game, we shifted together as a team, we worked together as a team and that’s something that we have been practicing the whole time leading up to this match. I haven’t been in the change room, I don’t know about others, but I personally I feel very happy that the game plan went well.
Rebecka Blomqvist – Sweden Forward:
I mean it was really tough game today so we were super happy that we could finally win in the end. We created a lot of corners and a lot of set pieces and in the end, we scored at one of those situations, so yeah, I’m just super happy that we could win this game because it wasn’t easy. After conceding I think the whole squad felt we had a good feeling during the whole game, even though it didn’t look great all the time, it still felt like we did 100% hard work and we knew that the goal was going to come in the end and we felt like we put on some pressure especially with the corners we had, and we know we are really strong at that. I wouldn’t say we were stressed but of course you play for 90 minutes. It was really important for us get a win, it was really important to get a good start in this tournament and that’s all we wanted so yeah, I hope we can take this feeling now and work on the things that didn’t work today. South Africa is a really good team, they are so technical and have individual good players and I feel like they know each other ‘s strengths and they really do well there they know that they can put the ball in behind and really hurt us there, so I’m really impressed about the team.
Hilda Magaia – Banyana Banyana Forward:
I’m not really sure of the extent of the injury but at the moment it’s painful. I say we really did well as a team, I mean we managed to go to the second-half goalless, so that means we are going to the right direction as a team, but I mean mistakes happened. The two remaining games, knowing that we lost this one, it’s really like important and it just needs us to work again as a team and continue fighting. We must do the best we can and leave the rest to God.
Fridolina Rolfo – Sweden Forward:
The game today was against a hard opponent and the weather was not easy – the grass was really wet, and the ball was not easy to control, but in the end I’m really happy we fought for 90 minutes, and we won. I’m still not quite sure what exactly happened with the goal – I just remember that the ball came from the right side, and I think it touched my foot and it was just nice that it went in. South Africa is a very tough opponent, a good team and physical, especially when we were trying to play behind them, but they had like fast defenders, so it was hard to find the space behind them. So, yeah it wasn’t easy today and like I said with the weather too, but in the end, we won and that’s what I’m most happy about. Of course, you are disappointed when they score the first goal, but it felt like we had much time to change it, and yeah in the end we scored two more goals. The last World Cup we finished third, this time I really hope we can go far. We have a great team, and we know if we work together and if we play at our highest level, I know we can reach a final, so we just have to continue working hard and everything is possible.
Caroline Seger – Sweden Midfielder:
It was a tough game against a good team today but at the end of the day it was maybe the nicest game we played, but we want those three points and in a tournament it’s very important to start well. Like I said they have very fast players, we also knew that from before and they play very compact in the defense it was hard to get through today and also the rain didn’t really help. But I mean I think they developed a lot since we played them last time, and I think they have a chance in this tournament, so even if they didn’t get three points today and they still have a lot to take from this tournament. It was an important win tonight; I think every team when they play the first game in this tournament it’s big and it’s crucial because you only have a small window to make it to the next round so, we want to be up there and now we move from here. I think when you concede a goal you never want to do that, but it’s how you respond and I think at the end of the day that helped us a little bit to get momentum and then we get that early goal and we keep on pushing, so I’m very proud of the team today.
(CentreCircle.online is at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup courtesy of Sasol, sponsors of Banyana Banyana)
