The South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed the team (Banyana Banyana) for securing a spot in the final 16 of the Women’s World Cup after defeating Italy to 3 to 2 scores at Wellington Regional Stadium, Australia on Wednesday.
Ramaphosa who expressed his happiness through his social media platform, congratulated the team Banyana Banyana on their victory, adding that the team have lifted the S’Africa’s spirits and made the country immensely proud, asking them to bring the cup home.
According to him, “Congratulations to @Banyana_Banyana on your victory against Italy and securing our spot in the final 16. You have lifted our spirits and made us immensely proud. Bring the cup home”, the President said.
South Africa and Italy clashed in their third group game at Wellington Regional Stadium, with the game ending with a 3-2 victory in favor of the Banyana Banyana team, who thus secured a spot in the round of 16 in this ongoing women’s world cup.
The Italian player Arianna Caruso opened the scoring for her team in the 11th minute from a penalty kick. In the 32nd minute, Italian Benedetta Orsi tied the score for South Africa by scoring an own goal.
Striker Hildah Magaia advanced the scoring for her team in the 67th minute, when Italy did not take long to tie the score in the 74th minute by Arianna Caruso again.
Only in the 2nd minute of the extra time did the striker Thembi Kgatlana score a knock-out for South Africa to end the game 3-2 and allow the South African team to move to the round of 16 for their first time in history.
In the Group G standings, South Africa is ranked second with 4 points. Throughout the three group stage matches, the Banyana Banyana recorded a loss against Sweden 2-1, then a 2-2 draw against Argentina, and a 3-2 win against Italy.
Leading the group is Sweden which was victorious in all its matches, and thus earned 9 points. Italy came in third place with 3 points and Argentina fourth with 1 point.
In the round of 16, South Africa will face the Netherlands on August 6 at Allianz Stadium at 3:00 a.m. Moroccan Time.
The Netherlands top Group E with 7 points followed by the US with 5 points, meaning the US will have a tough match in the round of 16 against the impressive Swedish team.
Among the African teams also qualified for the round of 16 is Nigeria who will face England on August 7 at Suncorp Stadium at 8:30 a.m. Moroccan Time.
Nigeria qualified on July 31 after a draw against the Republic of Ireland in their third group match; the West African team ranked second in their group standings with 5 points, behind Australia who finished the group stage on 6 points.
Unfortunately, Zambia did not manage to make it to the next round after registering 2 losses and 1 win, while Morocco is preparing to face Colombia in their third group stage match on August 3, 2023.