WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Hildah Magaia has given South Africa belief it can win at the Women’s World Cup.
Magaia scored for South Africa in its tournament opener, but was injured on the play and couldn’t finish the game. Sweden went on to win 2-1, but the performance gave South Africa confidence it can get a victory.
South Africa plays Argentina in a Group C match on Friday in Dunedin. Both teams are looking for their first win — Argentina dropped a 1-0 opener to Italy.
“Knowing that we went toe-to-toe with the No. 3 country in the world and it took a superhuman effort from them to get the result, we’re very positive for the next two matches,” South Africa coach Desiree Ellis said after the Sweden loss.
“We’re not underestimating the teams, but we know our capabilities.”
Magaia and her coach both said she would “definitely” be able to play against Argentina.
Good thing, because she’s the Banyana Banyana’s spark.
South Africa’s Hildah Magaia falls into the net as she scores her team’s first goal during the Women’s World Cup Group G soccer match between Sweden and South Africa in Wellington, New Zealand, Sunday, July 23, 2023. Credit: AP/Andrew Cornaga
The forward scored on a nice hustle play against Sweden by pouncing on a shot that bounced off goalkeeper Zecira Musovic’s gloves and hit Magaia’s thigh as she sped into the Sweden goal. Just a small problem: Magaia fell on the metal bar at the back of Sweden’s goal as the ball hit the net.
She came out of the game minutes later, the medical staff wrapped her wrist, and she missed the final 25 minutes. Sweden capitalized on her absence to win the match.
“We call her the breadwinner when she gets in front of the goal. When she gets in front of the goal, nine times out of 10, she’ll put it in,” South African coach Desiree Ellis said Thursday. “She’s very influential and very versatile and very multifunctional. But we don’t focus too much on one individual.
“We don’t want to rely…
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