When Banyana took a huge step
This week marked a historic moment for women’s football in the country, with 8 June documented as the date Banyana Banyana made their first appearance at the 2019 Fifa World Cup in France. Here, Tshepo Ntsoelengoe looks at Banyana’s journey at the tournam
8 June, 2019, Le Havre
Banyana 1 Spain 3
It was a great start for the team, with striker Thembi Kgatlana getting the game’s first goal in the 25th minute, a beautiful strike that set the team up with a chance to shock the Europeans. But it was not meant to be for the South Africans as the Spaniards came back rejuvenated in the second half scoring three goals without reply to seal the win.
Banyana goalkeeper Andile Dlamini says she remembers the first game vividly, particularly Kgatlana’a goal. “It was a beautiful goal and I remember how everyone was celebrating. It was great to see her scoring at the World Cup, but unfortunately things didn’t go our way,” said the shot-stopper.
13 June, 2019, Paris
Banyana 0, China 1
Banyana gave a gutsy performance against China, former runners-up at the World Cup. It was a great showing from the team with a number of chances created, but luck wasn’t on their side as Li Ying’s 40th minute strike was enough to see the Chinese walk away with a victory while Banyana recorded their second successive loss.
17 June, 2019, Montepellier
Banyana 0 Germany 4
Coming up against one of the best women’s football nations wasn’t going to be easy for the Women’s Afcon runners-up. Tactical and technical prowess from the Germans was visible from the kick-off with the Germans getting their first goal of the match as early as the 14th minute. Banyana were 4-0 down by the 58th minute. Still though, there was a hunger to fight and try come back into the game, as Dlamini recalls, with every player on the field giving their all.
“We fought against Germany and we never gave in and battled to the last minute. I saw a great team spirit in that match.”
With the heavy loss in their last group game, it signaled the end of the road for Banyana.
The results might have been disappointing, but many Banyana players will cherish that moment as being the highlight of their international careers, having been the first senior national women’s team to compete at the Fifa World
Cup.