Even before a ball was kicked at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, no one would have given South Africa a chance of making the knockout rounds, nor even given them a chance of recording a win.
Well, all those doubts can now be put to shame.
South Africa have done the impossible and have got out of the group stage, joining Sweden in the Round of 16 as the two teams from Group G.
Midfielder Hildah Magaia says it means a lot to her to progress to the next stage of the tournament.
“We were so close to going home,” Magaia said.
“It is an emotional one, it’s my first World Cup,” she said.
South Africa were in fact close to going home.
Italy scored the opening goal of the contest in the 10th minute thanks to a penalty and from the way the game was being played out, it looked like game over for the South Africans.
It wasn’t game over though. They were gifted a goal when one of the Italian centre-backs passed it back to her goalkeeper, a pass that looked like a shot. The keeper with no chance as it hit the back of the net.
The game went back and forth. South Africa took the lead, coming from 1-0 down. Now they were the team making a comeback having been the ones leading in their first two group games.
Italy equalised and then in the middle of added time in the 92nd minute, South Africa scored what would be the winner.
All this and the drama in the first two games all happened in what is only their second Women’s World Cup appearance. Their first being at the recent 2019 edition in France.
Considering this is their second time at a Women’s World Cup and they have gone on to progress out of a difficult looking group, that is an impressive achievement by South Africa.
Head coach Desiree Ellis was going through all the emotions in the 11 minutes that were added on after the full 90.
“You have no idea,” Ellis said.
“I almost died and then she [the referee] added on extra [time],” she said.
It is clear that this win means so much to not only the players, but the fans, who were non-stop singing and dancing throughout the entire 100 or so minutes of football.
The game felt like it was being played in Cape Town rather than in Wellington.
It doesn’t get any easier for South Africa though, they travel to Sydney to face the runners up of the last Women’s World Cup, Netherlands, fresh off finishing on top of Group E.
With South Africa joining the likes of Jamaica and Nigeria in the last 16, this Women’s World Cup is certainly showing that the underdogs are firing on all cylinders.
Whatever the outcome is, the South Africans can be proud of how far they have progressed.
While Jamaica and Nigeria would have also been sharing all the emotions, South Africa are the ones who really stand out.
They aren’t known as a football nation unlike Jamaica and Nigeria and the South Africans also don’t have the support compared to those two countries.
The Jamaicans are sponsored by Adidas, while the Nigerians are sponsored by Nike. South Africa are sponsored by French brand Le Cog Sportif.
Also, they don’t have the players playing in the leagues that are recognised as the best in women’s football.
Most of Jamaica and Nigeria’s players play in France, England and Spain, leagues’ that football fans know. South Africa’s players mainly play in their home country, a league that isn’t a standout.
Despite all that, South Africa have gone on to shock the world and book a spot in the Round of 16.
Even though an in-form Dutch side awaits, this Women’s World Cup has been full of upsets and drama.
What a story this would be if South Africa were able to progress further for what has already been a successful tournament for them.
No matter what, the future of South African football is bright.
Featured image credit: Maja Hitij FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
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