Banyana fall to Sweden in Olympics opener
A lapse in concentration saw Banyana lose 1-0 to Sweden in their opening game in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
South Africa’s national women’s football team Banyana Banyana lost 1-0 to Sweden in their opening game of the 2016 Rio Olympics on Wednesday evening.
Though the South Africans lost this group E opener to the 6th best side in the world, they produced a better performance than four years ago in London, when they were hammered 4-1 by the same side.
The Swedes came into the match as favourites and it was evident that Banyana were bound to defend for the majority of the match when Sofia Jakobsson hit the crossbar after latching onto a loose ball within 10 minutes.
Despite seeing little possession, Banyana managed to contain the Swedish side for 45 minutes.
In the second half, the Europeans continued where they left off and within 5 minutes, Banyana keeper Roxanne Barker was already making saves left, right and centre.
But Banyana grew in confidence as the match progressed and it was no surprise when Mamello Makhabane’s low cross nearly beat Swedish keeper Hedvig Lindahi at the near post in the 70th minute.
Six minutes later, a lapse of concentration by South Africa was capitalised on when Sweden took advantage of an error by Barker, who failed to deal with a loose ball inside her box allowing Nila Fischer to give Sweden a 1-0 lead.
Banyana couldn’t find an equaliser.
Coach Vera Pauw’s side will take on China on Saturday, as they look for their first point of the Olympic Games.
Banyana gift Sweden 1-0 win in Rio opener after goalkeeping blunder | Daily Maverick https://t.co/c20mhf4fSX pic.twitter.com/kJzNjwkQ3K
— Daily Maverick (@dailymaverick) August 3, 2016
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