Hildah Magaia: Banyana determined to finish Group B campaign on a high

The South African senior women’s national team will be chasing their first victory of the tournament after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Tanzania in their opening match before fighting back to earn a 2-2 draw against Ivory Coast on Friday.

Magaia says the team hopes to control the game better and deliver a complete performance in the decisive Group B encounter.

“It wasn’t the result we were hoping for, but we had to fight until the final whistle. We’ll take the point and now make sure we approach our final game with intent and finish strongly in Group B. Yes, the game was physical, but we take the point and move forward,” said Magaia.

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Second-half substitute Magaia and striker Thembi Kgatlana scored late goals to help the 2022 WAFCON champions recover from a two-goal deficit and secure their first point of the tournament. The result kept Banyana Banyana’s hopes of progressing to the knockout stages alive with one group-stage match remaining.

“That is what football is about - making sure we fight and put our bodies on the line. That is exactly what we showed in that match. Going into the game against Burkina Faso, we have to give it our all, just as we did in the last game. I even went to check how they play before I went to bed, and I noticed that we are expecting another physical contest,” added Magaia.

Magaia credited the team’s fighting spirit and unity for their comeback against Ivory Coast.

“It was a proud moment, but ultimately it was about teamwork, fighting for one another and putting our bodies on the line,” she expressed.