Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis is quite happy with her team’s performance despite losing 2-1 to Sweden in a 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup opener at the Wellington Regional Stadium, New Zealand, on Sunday.
Banyana scored first through Hildah Magaia and it looked like they might shock the Swedes, who are ranked third in the world.
The Swedes, however, fought back to score two goals through Fridolina Rolfo and Amanda Ilestedt to earn maximum points.
“We had a game plan and I thought it worked throughout. I thought we were defensively very sound. We knew they were gonna be a challenge at set-pieces. I thought we handled them very well,” Ellis said.
“Our transitions could have been better. If our decisions in the final third were better we could be speaking a different result now. Unfortunately, we conceded at the moment when we were in complete control. Then we condeded right at the end. I think it was a bit cruel. But it’s football. I thought on this performance even though we lost we are very proud of the way we played.”
Banyana are now left with two group stages matches against Argentina on Friday and Italy on Wednesday, 2 August.
