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How South Africa Edge Italy To Reach Round 16

POSTED ON August 16, 2023 •   Football      BY Samuel O . Adeniyi

South Africa made it to the Women's World Cup Round of 16.

Thembi Kgatlana's last-gasp goal gave the Banyana Banyana their first-ever Women's World Cup win.

South Africa edged out Italy in a 3-2 victory on Wednesday. South Africa now in the Round of 16 will face the Netherlands on Sunday.

The Le Azzurre (The Blues) only needed a draw to progress, but they were undone by Kgatlana's late strike.

Kgatlana struck two minutes into stoppage time to break the hearts of the Italians and send South Africa to the knockout stages of the tournament.

Thembi Kgatlana celebrating after victory. | Credit: BBC UK | Source: Google
Thembi Kgatlana celebrating after victory. | Credit: BBC UK | Source: Google

"They fought like warriors," said an emotional coach Desiree Ellis, who was a founding member of the South African women's side in 1993. "They fought like the heroines that we know that they are. They fought to be historically remembered and they've made history not just getting our first win, but going to the round of 16 and that is freaking amazing."

The Blues had opened the scoring in the 10th minute through a penalty from Arianna Caruso. The Bayana Bayana equalized in the 32nd minute through an own goal from Benedetta Orsi and then took the lead in the 67th minute through Hildah Magaia.

Caruso equalized again for Italy in the 74th minute, but Kgatlana had the final say with her late strike.

The victory is a major breakthrough for South African women's football. They have never before reached the knockout stages of a World Cup, and this result will give them a huge boost ahead of their clash with the Netherlands.

"This is a historic moment for South African football," said Kgatlana. "We have worked so hard for this, and it is an amazing feeling to have finally achieved it. We are not going to stop here, we want to go all the way."

Thembi Kgatlana | Credit: Sports Brief | Source: Google

South Africa's victory was a fitting end to a thrilling match. Both teams played some excellent football, and the result could have gone either way. In the end, it was Kgatlana who made the difference with her late winner.

This is a huge moment for South African women's football, and it is sure to inspire a new generation of players. The team has now set their sights on the knockout stages, and they will be confident of causing an upset.

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