South Africa Stun Italy with Last-Minute Winner

02 August 2023

Published By Everything ZA Travel

Thembi Kgatlana scored a dramatic last-minute winner to give South Africa their first Women’s World Cup victory in Wellington on Wednesday. The striker’s goal sent her team into the knockout stages at the expense of Italy, who had appeared to be on course for a draw until the dying moments.

Italy took the lead in the 10th minute when Chiara Beccari was fouled in the area and Arianna Caruso converted the penalty. South Africa equalized in the 32nd minute through a freak own goal from Benedetta Orsi, and then took the lead in the 67th minute through Hildah Magaia. Caruso equalized again seven minutes later, but South Africa were not to be denied as Kgatlana struck the winner in the second minute of stoppage time.

The victory was a fitting reward for Kgatlana, who had overcome a serious injury to make the tournament. The striker had suffered a torn Achilles in 2022, but had returned to fitness in time to play in New Zealand.

“Over the last three weeks, I’ve lost three family members,” said Kgatlana. “I could have gone home, but I chose to stay with my girls. Because that’s how much it means.”

The win sends South Africa into the last 16, where they will face the Netherlands in Sydney on Sunday. It is a daunting task, but Kgatlana and her team-mates will be confident of causing an upset.

Coach Desiree Ellis Hails Players’ Fighting Spirit

South Africa coach Desiree Ellis, who was a founding member of the women’s side in 1993, hailed her players. “They fought like warriors,” she said. “They fought like the heroines that we know that they are. They fought to be historically remembered and they’ve made history not just getting our first win, but going to the round of 16 and that is amazing.”

Ellis said that her team had adopted a “never-say-die” attitude, and that this had been key to their victory. “We knew that we were the underdogs,” she said. “But we also knew that we had the talent and the desire to win. And that’s what we did.”

The South Africa coach said that she was proud of her players’ achievement, and that she was confident that they would continue to do well in the tournament. “This is just the beginning,” she said. “We’re not going to stop here.”

South Africa’s Historic Victory

South Africa’s victory over Italy was their first ever in the Women’s World Cup. It was also their first win in any major international tournament. The victory was a huge moment for South African football, and it will be remembered for years to come.

Thembi Kgatlana’s last-minute winner was the icing on the cake for South Africa. The striker’s goal was a fitting reward for her performance, and it will go down in history as one of the most memorable moments in South African football.