Banyana Banyana forced to settle for point against Argentina at Women's World Cup

By SABC Sport
28th July 2023

Banyana Banyana recorded their first ever point at a FIFA Women's World Cup but will be disappointed after blowing a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 against Argentina in Dunedin.

Goals in either half from Linda Motlhalo and Thembi Kgatlana put South Africa in a deserved 2-0 lead but the South Americans hit back with strikes by Sophia Braun and Romina Nunez.

Banyana were dealt a massive blow early in the contest when in the 21st minute captain Refiloe Jane was stretchered off with an ankle injury.

Desiree Ellis' team put the setback behind them though and took the lead on the half-hour mark when Kgatlana sprung the offside trap and played a square pass to Motlhalo to tap in.

The goal was initially ruled out but a VAR check confirmed that Kgatlana timed her run perfectly before applying the pass to Motlhalo.

Banyana almost doubled their lead in first-half stoppage but a long-range effort from Motlhalo flew just wide of the Argentina goal.

Kgatlana missed a glorious opportunity just after the interval when she put her effort from three yards out just wide after being played in by Jermaine Seoposenwe.

The forward though made up for her earlier miss when in the 66th minute Seoposenwe again broke free on the right before sliding in Kgatlana who applied the finish.

South Africa looked firmly in control of the contest but Argentina pulled a goal back in the 74th minute when Sophia Braun scored from a superb long-range effort.

The South American side then equalised just five minutes later when two substitutes combined as Yamila Rodriguez crossed for Romina Nunez who headed past goalkeeper Kaylin Swart.

Banyana were stunned and Argentina fed off the momentum of a boisterous contingent in the crowd as they looked for the winner in the dying stages.

In the end both teams were forced to settle for a point, their first of the campaign, and will now need victories in the final group matches.

Banyana went down 2-1 to Sweden in their tournament opener and will need a positive result in the final group match against Italy to progress to the next round.