SEDIBENG.- Banyana Banyana bowed out of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with pride after their 2-0 defeat to the Netherlands on Sunday morning.
No doubt, when they arrive home they should receive a warm welcome from their South African fans for their outstanding performance in the tournament. Coach Desiree Ellis and her team made history when they qualified for the last sixteen of the women’s World Cup.
For this, we are told each player will be rewarded with a R l,3 million payment.
Banyana Banyana was forced to play without their influential Captain, Refiloe Jane, in their last two games due to injury. However, this didn’t affect the spirited Banyana Banyana team who fought until the last drop of their blood and bowed out of the tournament with their heads high.
In an interview with Sedibeng Ster Sport via WhatsApp from Australia, the emotional Ellis was full of praise for her girls for the brave fight they put in all the games they played. She told Sedibeng Ster Sport that if they took all the chances they created against the Netherlands they could have been talking a different story altogether. However, she acknowledge the fact that it was a learning experience for her charges to take their chances at this level of competition.
“I must say, I am very proud of these girls and I believe everyone back home will agree with me that they have done the country proud. They rewrote their history for the first time to reach the knockout stage in the tournament. I do not doubt that we were unlucky not to beat the Netherlands after we had a great start like other games we played. This team was a marvel to watch, fighting for one another in the field of play like sisters,” said Ellis.
Meanwhile, Banyana Banyana Captain, Refiloe Jane told Sedibeng Ster Sport that they were grateful for the support they received here back home. She said they received messages before and after games from South Africans.
“We want to thank everyone for their support and this made us die with our boots on the field for our country. Their messages were humbling and from the bottom of our hearts we want to say thank you South Africa for your support,” she concluded.
