Banyana Banyana secures a spot in the World Cup final 16

by Staff Bona

Excitement erupted across the country on Wednesday morning as South Africans celebrated the historic last-gasp victory of Banyana Banyana that earned them their rightful spot in the round of 16 of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Excitement erupted across the country on Wednesday morning as South Africans celebrated the historic last-gasp victory of Banyana Banyana that earned them their rightful spot in the round of 16 of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Statistically, the odds were not in South Africa’s favour against the 14th-ranked Italian team. But that didn’t stop Coach Desiree Ellis’ team from securing a 3-2 victory in Wellington – courtesy of Thembi Kgatlana’s impeccable finish in the 92nd minute.

The dramatic victory sees Banyana Banyana becoming South Africa’s first senior football team – male or female – to progress from the group stages to the knockouts of a FIFA World Cup.

 

It was an anxious start for the South African team, who conceded an early penalty that gave the Italians the initial advantage.

But an own goal by Benedetta Orsi and second-half strikes by Hilda Magaia (voted player of the match) and Kgatlana (stand-in captain) ensured that they finished second in Group G behind Sweden, allegedly one of the hardest groups in the tournament.

Suffice it to say, South Africans from all corners of the country were sitting on the edge of their seats in homes, offices, cafés and malls as the pulsating match see-sawed between both sides.

The nation’s heroines, who came in as the underdogs, dominated the second half and emerged victorious.

Homes, offices, cafés, malls and the locker room at Wellington Regional Stadium in New Zealand erupted in cheers and songs after the final whistle as history was made.

They will now play the Netherlands at 4am (South African time) on Sunday at Sydney Football Stadium.

Composed by Tauhira Ajam

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