Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has dedicated their historic win over Italy in a Group G FIFA Women’s World Cup clash at Wellington Regional Stadium on Wednesday.
Thembi Kgatlana scored in injury time as Banyana sealed their first-ever victory in the World Cup. In addition, the dramatic win also saw
SA reach the last 16 of the prestigious tournament for the first time.
Banyana put on a show to beat Italy with Kgatlana, Hildah Magaia and Benedetta Orsi (own goal) on target.
With this win, Ellis’ troops finished second in Group G to join Sweden in the knockout stages, where they’ll face the winners of Group E, The Netherlands, on Sunday.
And as a result of their efforts to book a place in the last 16, the Banyana players are guaranteed R1.14 million from FIFA.
In a press conference after the game, Banyana coach, in an emotional state, dedicated the “freaking amazing” win to everyone back in SA.
ELLIS FULL OF PRAISE FOR BANYANA BANYANA
“We knew that it was going to be a tough game, but we also knew what we were capable of,” said Ellis.
“These girls are just freaking amazing. I speak through every challenge they faced in the past. No one gave us a chance today, but we believed, and they fought like warriors out there
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“The win is for everyone back home, people getting up in the early hours of the morning when they were all disappointed that we should have won against Argentina.
Desiree Ellis added: “This is for them, I wanted them to go to work smiling in their cars because we know the game started at 9 am. This is for all the coaches out there who have played their part, for the coaches in the league (Super League) who have also played their part.
“And the players who have come before and for everybody involved in women’s football. The players who have put the work in, they worked so hard, and I’m proud of them.”