The Fifa Women’s World Cup group stages have entered the penultimate rounds and it’s do or die for Banyana Banyana, as they prepare for a must-win showdown against Argentina in the early hours of Friday morning.
This after South Africa succumbed to a disappointing last minute 2-1 defeat to third ranked Sweden at the weekend.
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has since admitted that their fate in securing their first ever world cup win and make it to the knockout stages, will depend on their tense encounter against the South Americans, saying her team is up to the task.
“After such a magnificent performance against Sweden [on Sunday], we took a lot of positives out of the match and I think we were definitely very sound until right at the end,” said Ellis.
“We also created many opportunities and going into this game against Argentina, it is a must-win. We must not only win but we must score goals to give us a realistic chance in the last match.
“We have analysed them, and I am sure they have analysed us. But we have taken the positives and we have added to that to see how we can be better.”
The two nations will be playing against each other for the first time, with both coming from defeats in their opening Group G matches.
It goes without saying that the stakes will be high, as both teams will have their eyes set on getting maximum points when they lock horns at the Dunedin Stadium.
The South Africans will then wrap up their group stages against Italy on August 2 at the Wellington Regional Stadium.
Meanwhile, former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright met with the team and wished Banyana Banyana all the best in the all-important fixture.
Kick-off time is at 2am (SA time).
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