Banyana Banyana Making History In The FIFA Women’s World Cup

Despite registering their first ever win in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Banyana Banyana have advanced into the last sixteen of the tournament, making history since taking part in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The ladies have shown determination and character from the first game they played against ranked number three in the world, Sweden.

They found the back of the net first in all three games in the group stages, losing their lead at the end of both first games. Coming into today’s final game against Italy who ranks number 16 in the world rankings was do or die for the ladies. Thembi Kgatlana was one of the influential players for South Africa, scoring the winning goal making the final score 3 – 2. In her post-match interview, she alluded to the scrutiny they had to face after losing the first two games of the tournament and the tragedy of losing three family members leading into the final game against Italy.

“It was not easy coming into this game, after all the scrutiny we faced, losing three family members, but I chose to be here with the girls and fight”.

Banyana Banyana will face Netherlands on Sunday morning, 04:00 SA time in the last sixteen. The Dutch women’s team came top of Group E, winning two games and playing a draw against the defending champions USA. Banyana Banyana will be hoping to have their captain Refiloe Jane back on the pitch, who suffered a soft tissue injury during their 2-2 against Argentina, and Kholosa Biyana who was suspended for the game against Italy.

Siphamandla Lindwa

Siphamandla Lindwa is a sports writer and a publisher for Bet Central at Bet.co.za. He obtained a B-Tech in Sports Management from Tshwane University of Technology. When not writing sports content, Sipha scouts talent and networks for his future Sports Management agency.