South Africa, reigning African vice-champion, lost (1-2) in the last minutes against Sweden, reigning Olympic vice-champion, for its entry into the running at the Women’s World Cup, Sunday in Wellington. The South Africans, without pressure, will be able to blame themselves: without the error of their defender Lebogang Ramalepe, Fridolina Rolfo could not have equalized (65th) and they would undoubtedly have at least obtained a draw, the best result in their history in the World Cup. The South African “Banyana Banyana” even regularly proved dangerous, with an untenable Thembi Kgatlana, the Louisville striker. The latter was behind the opener, signed Hildah Magaia (48th). The striker ended her race in the net, visibly affected, and had to leave her place a few minutes later. But his goal was duly celebrated by his partners, with a few dance steps. Very ambitious in the wake of their Olympic final lost on penalties in Japan two years ago against Canada, the Swedes were therefore very hot. Their defender Amanda Ilestedt, on the departure of Paris SG for Arsenal, delivered them with a header in the 90th minute, a goal already crucial in the perspective of qualification for the round of 16.
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Women’s World Cup: South Africa loses to Sweden
