The political, social and developmental challenges that faces South Africa today was temporarily forgotten by its locals yesterday. Banyana Banyana gave the nation a reason to smile again.
In an epic Group G decider in Wellington, New Zealand, both Italy and South Africa were well aware of how far three points would take them. In dramatic fashion, Tembi Kgatlana scored a dying minute winner to send the stadium into a state of pandemonium. Le Azzure of Italy were left heartbroken after coming agonisingly close to qualifying for the round of 16 had the game ended at 2-2.
Like Siphiwe Tshabalala’s screamer at the 2010 World Cup, Tembi Kgatlana’s goal is an iconic moment in the Rainbow nations sporting history. It was more than just a goal: It was the goal that secured Banyana Banyana’s first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup win. It was the goal that sealed their first ever second round qualification. It was a goal that possibly inspired a young aspiring female footballer in the streets of Soweto, struggling to keep her dream alive.
In only Banyana’s second ever participation in this global competition, the 2022 Wafcon winners lost their opening match of this edition to Sweden before throwing away a two goal lead in their next match against Argentina. The feisty 2-2 draw against the South Americans was progress given the fact that in 2019, South Africa only scored one goal and exited the world cup in France without recording a single point. The win against the Italians was certainly the icing on the ever rising cake of South African Women’s football.
A heated fight between Banyana Banyana and SAFA (The South African Football Association) just two weeks before the FIFA Women’s World Cup, left many football pundits pessimistic about South Africa’s chances in Australia and New Zealand. Disputes over contracts and match bonuses threatened to smear the squad’s performances at the tournament. So far, the team have shown no signs of having once been involved in any pre-tournament rows and have been simply sensational. Under the leadership of coach Desiree Ellis, the team plays a brand of possession football that suddenly explodes into dangerous fast paced counter attacking moves.
South-Africa next plays Group E winners, The Netherlands who have started the tournament in blistering form. The Dutch eclipsed Germany’s 6-0 thrashing of Morocco by annihilating Vietnam 7-0. This is the biggest win of this edition of the World Cup so far. Banyana Banyana will certainly have to be cognizant of the goal scoring threats of the likes of Esmee Brugts and Jill Roord to stand any chance of progressing to the last eight.
Elsewhere, Group H’s World Cup debutants, The Atlas Lionesses have joined Banyana Bayana and the Super Falcons in the last 16 after beating Colombia. Anissa Lahmari scored the only goal of the match. Morocco will next face France. Let’s hope that the Lionesses can get sweet revenge for the men’s team who lost out on a World Cup final spot in Qatar last December after a 2-0 loss to Le Bleus in the semi-finals.