FIFA Women’s World Cup: Banyana Banyana Fail to Hold Lead As South Africa Lose to Sweden

• South Africa gave the world number 3 a tough time at the ongoing FIFA Women's World Cup
• Banyana Banyana went ahead in the 48th minute, but they could not hold on to their precious lead
• Fridolina Rolfo equalised for the Swedes in the 65th minute before Amanda Ilestedt struck the winner in stoppage-time

South Africa have lost their opening game at the ongoing 2023 FIFA Women's Cup as they went down 2-1 against Sweden.

Banyana Banyana made some viable pushes in attack in the opening exchanges but were not able to complete any of their efforts with a sufficient shot on goal.

The Swedes continued to attack the Africans, but somehow they could not get it right in the final third.

In the 28th minute, South Africa got their first effort on goal courtesy of a fine effort Jermaine Seoposenwe which epitomized Banyana Banyana's efforts in the half.

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In the 31st minute, controversy arose when a Sweden shot seemed to have struck a South African defender's arm, but after a VAR review, the referee decided to continue with the game, which ended 0-0 at halftime.

And three minutes into the second half, Hilda Magaia opened the scoring for South Africa when she tapped in from close range, injuring herself in the process.

Thembi Kgatlana had found space inside the danger area before her shot was parried towards the path of Magaia, who tucked home the rebound.

Fridolina Rolfo restored parity for Sweden in the 65th minute courtesy of a fine finish, and both teams were back to the same level.

In the latter stages of the encounter, South Africa surged forward, trying to restore their lead, but somehow the Europeans were resolute.

Amanda Ilestedt scored the winner for Sweden in the 90th minute to ensure her side claimed the precious victory.

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It ended Sweden 2-1 South Africa.

How Magaia scored

Sports Brief earlier reported that the Banyana Banyana striker Magaia grabbed the team's second-ever goal in the FIFA Women's World Cup when she netted against Sweden.

Thembi Kgatlana, who was tormenting the Swedish defence, fired a shot on goal which could only be pushed away by the goalkeeper. Magaia pounced on the loose ball and bundled it into the net.

Prior to the goal, Banyana had only ever scored once at the tournament. Kgatlana grabbed the side’s previous only goal during the 2019 World Cup when she scored against Spain.