Banyana Banyana were knocked out of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup after a 0-2 defeat to the Netherlands in a Round of 16 match at the Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday.
The South African senior women’s team took long to settle down in the first half and conceded a goal as early as the ninth minute through Jill Roord.
The match got tougher when the team lost forward Jermaine Seoposenwe, who got a knock, and despite numerous attempts to return to the field and continue playing, the player was eventually substituted in the 29th minute with youngster Wendy Shongwe.
The Sasol-sponsored side was dealt another blow when Bambanani Mbane was stretchered off the pitch aftersuffering an injury in the 39th minute, and coach Desiree Ellis was once again forced to make a forced substitution.
Tiisetso Makhubela was the replacement. Despite numerous attempts to find an equalize, Banyana Banyana could not find the breakthrough and went to the half time break on the backfoot. The tempo decreased in the second half but South African goalkeeper Kaylin Swart was still forced to work hard, with the Netherlands looking for an opening to extend their lead.
There weren’t too many threatening chances coming from the South African team and it was the Netherlands who eventually had their attempts rewarded in the 68th minute when Lineth Beerensteyn shot past Swart to extend the lead for the European side. It was now a huge mountain to climb for South Africa, who pushed for a goal with Thembi Kgatlanaworking overtime and making great runs.
But it was not to be and the referee finally blew the full-time whistle, with the Netherlands claiming a 2-0 victory to progress to the next stage of the global competition.The team’s travel itinerary will be shared once confirmed.
