FIFA WWC: South Africa join Nigeria as only African team to reach Round 16

 

...after defeating Italy in a dramatic 3-2 win

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Banyana Banyana of South Africa have joined their continental compatriots, Super Falcons of Nigeria as the only two African teams to reach round 16 of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup holding in Australia.

Morocco can also qualify if they beat Colombia and Germany lose to or draw Korea on Thursday. Meanwhile, Zambia were already eliminated as they failed to come out of group C after recording a single win and two defeats.

South Africa needed to beat Italy to ensure a place in the knockout stage and they did that in a dramatic way.

Arianna Caruso put Italy ahead from the penalty spot early on, before Benedetta Orsi scored an own goal that levelled things up for Banyana just past the half-hour mark.

Hildah Magaia then turned the game on its head to put South Africa ahead, but they could not hold on as Caruso turned the ball home from a corner.

It looked as though it would be more heartache for South Africa, but Thembi Kgatlana won the day as she turned the ball home from close range after excellent work from Magaia. The match ended 3-2 in favour of South Africa.

The win at the Wellington stadium on Wednesday means South Africa will join Sweden in Group G, who also defeated Argentina to top the group, to progress to the last 16.

South Africa will face the Netherlands while Sweden will play the United States in the round of 16.

Likewise, Nigeria who earlier qualified after drawing the Republic of Ireland on Monday, will face England in the round 16.