Banyana Banyana may have qualified for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup knockout stages, but have had to cop a lot of flak for 'throwing' games away, and almost actually did so in the final group match against Italy. The reigning African champions scored first in the opening two matches against Sweden and Argentina, before conceding late goals. Goalkeeper Kaylin Swart has also come under heavy criticism for her displays between the posts. Now Desiree Ellis’ charges have progressed to the knockout round after a 3-2 win over Italy on Wednesday. In this interview with Soccer Laduma’s Zola Doda, former Banyana star Maude Khumalo gives her opinion about what the team has been able to conjure up at the global showpiece, with the rampant Netherlands lying in wait on Sunday morning (SA time).
Zola Doda: Coach Maude, phew, into the knockout stages! What did you make of Banyana Banyana’s win over Italy?
Maude Khumalo: The game was just… I don’t know what to say. The girls, I think they gave their best, they understood what was at stake, but still I believe that we didn’t play that well. But we must give them credit because they fought. I saw a lot of improvements from the match against Argentina, but we’re still making those same mistakes, especially the goalkeeper and the defence. Defensively, we were not sound because we were still repeating the same mistake. For example, Thembi Kgatlana not releasing the ball on time and decision-making let her down. We were also defending too deep in the first half. But what they did right this time around, when we attacked we had more numbers and then also creating those chances and making sure that we convert them. Our danger player was Hildah Magaia – she was always on point, she is a consistent player in this team with the two centre-backs, Bambanani Mbane and Bongeka Gamede. (Lebohang) Ramalepe also played well. But we are still lacking in midfield, we need someone who is aggressive. The goals that we scored were brilliant goals, and then how we nailed that, created the chances and how we converted the chances…
