Banyana Banyana have written history at the 2023 FIFA World Cup, as they not only won their first World Cup match but also advanced to the last 16 following a hard-fought 3-2 win over Italy on Wednesday.
The African champions went into the game as the underdogs – ranked 38 places lower than Le Azzurre – needed a win to progress into the knockout stages, while Italy needed a draw.
A goal and second-half strikes from Hildah “The Breadwinner” Magaia and Thembi Kgatlana ensured they beat the Italians after going to the break level at 1-all.
Magaia walked away with the Player of the Match accolade, for her stellar effort, and has now scored two goals at the global showpiece so far, telling the media that it was an emotional victory.
“They call me the ‘Breadwinner’, so without the ‘bread winner’ there is no bread, I had to provide the bread for the nation.
“It really means a lot, especially knowing that we were so close to going home but it really means a lot. It is an emotional one, personally I can say since it’s my first World Cup it’s really an emotional one, I don’t want to lie but it’s all God’s glory for me, “said Magaia.
An emotional Kgatlana who scored the winning goal, revealed how important it is to be at the World Cup.
“Over the last two weeks, I’ve lost three family members. I could have gone home but I chose to stay with my girls, because that’s how much it means ” Kgatlana said.
A jubilant Desiree Ellis couldn’t hide her excitement and how proud she is of her team. “They fought like warriors,” Ellis said.
“They fought like the heroines that we know that they are. They fought to be historically remembered and they’ve made history not just getting our first win but going to the round of 16 and that is freaking amazing.
“This victory is for everyone back home, people that got up in the early hours of the morning to support us – that is for them.”
Qualification into the knockout phase also means all 23 players are set to be financially rewarded by FIFA, with each set to walk away with a guaranteed R1.14 million.
Banyana will next face the Netherlands Sunday (4am SA time). Overall look at Group G: Sweden at the summit with 9 points followed by South Africa with 4 points, while Italy ended in third with 3 points and Argentina at the bottom with just a point.
