Sweden break Banyana hearts with late World Cup winner

By SABC Sport
23rd July 2023

Banyana Banyana's Women's World Cup campaign got off to a heartbreaking start with a last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Sweden.

Hildah Magala and Fridolino Rolfo exchanged goals before Amanda Ilestedt scored a 90th-minute winner in a cruel blow for Banyana's World Cup hopes.

The game started off as predicted with Banyana getting plenty of women behind the ball.

Sweden were dominating possession as expected with wing backs Nathalie Bjorn and Jonna Andersson providing good width for the Olympic silver medallists, but Banyana were keeping to their structure diligently.

Banyana had their first real threat of the game in the 26th minute. Thembi Kgatlana found space on the left flank but found herself with little support as she went for goal - scuffing her effort as Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic gathered comfortably.

Banyana were struggling to keep possession of the ball and were having to resort to last-ditch interventions at the back.

Kgatlana was putting on a show and provided the assist as Banyana took the lead two minutes after the half-time interval. The Racing Louis star went off on a rampaging run and blasted a shot which was parried by Musovic into the path of Magala, who bundled the ball into the back of the net.

The Swedes equalised with 20 minutes to go when Lebogang Ramalepe failed to clear the danger as the ball ricocheted off her leg into the back of the net after a sweeping cross from Rolfo into the Banyana 18-yard area.

That goal dealt a blow to the confidence of the South Africans, who were holding on for dear life as the match approached its conclusion.

The Swedes had a massive opportunity in the 87th minute to take the lead. Olivia Schough dinked a searching cross into the area with Banyana keeper Kaylin Swart leaving her line but slipping. All Johanna Kanery needed to do was head home but she missed the the ball as a gilt-edged opportunity went abegging.

However, that miss would not come back to haunt the third-placed side in the world as the African champions' resolve was finally broken when Amanda Ilestedt headed home from a corner in the 90th minute to shatter Bayana hearts.