African champions Banyana Banyana of South Africa conceded a late goal to lose 2-1 to Sweden in their opening Group G game of the 2023 FIFA women’s World Cup on Sunday.
After a goalless first 45 minutes, it was South Africa who took the lead through Hildah Magaia in the 48th minute.
Sweden hit back and were rewarded in the 65th minute thanks to Fridolina Rolfo.
In the 89th minute Amanda Ilestedt netted the winner to give Sweden a winning start.
Also read: 2023 WWC: Super Falcons Not Afraid Of Australia – Ebi
This is Africa’s second defeat at this year’s women’s World Cup following Zambia’s 5-0 loss to 2011 champions Japan on Saturday.
Only Nigeria’s Super Falcons have secured a point at the tournament after their hard fought 0-0 draw with Canada.
Morocco will be in action on Monday when they face two-time champions Germany.
5 Comments
It’s like somebody said South Africa will be disgraced by Sweden. Well… I don’t know what the word disgrace means to you.
The guy dey feel say big names still dey play female football. SA no too get height but their movement nullified Sweden’s many corners until the one they conceded for second goal. It’s SA second WC compared to NGR nine so I give it to them for going toe to toe mostly unfazed. Not easy to score Africa’s first goal.
Big name you say. Sweden is a bigger ne in women football than SA. Check the records. They were runners up 1995 and have always done well.
Only if south Africa instead of playing long balls into the wide channels for kgatlana,seoposenwe etc should’ve played more of the passing interchange they’re known for,the only time they strung passes together they scored but instead of continuing to build they quickly ditched it for the long balls which the Swedish defense swept up and continued pressing until the south Africans buckled.
They should work on keeping possession under pressure but like someone said,it’s their second WC so it’s still a learning curve for them.
Before Nigeria’s match, South African commentators on supersport were talking down on SF and insisted they will beat their counterpart bcos they were better.how market?