By Harry Awurumibe, Editor,. Abuja Bureau
South Africa on Wednesday became the second African country, after Nigeria to qualify for the knockout stage of the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand just as Jamaica also made history by qualifying for the knockout stage for the first time-ever.
South Africa’s Banyana Banyana surprised the bookmakers by grinding out a 3-2 win over Lady Azurris of Italy in Wellington, New Zealand to qualify for the Round of 16 on four points, edging the eighth-ranked Italy to progress.
Banyana Banyana have the mother luck to thank as the Italians rue poor judgements at the rear as Italy’s early lead by Arianna Caruso’s penalty was cancelled by Benedetta Orsi’s own goal.
Player of the Match Hildah Magaia who called the victory a “life-changing” scored early in the second half to put South Africa ahead 2-1 and left them on the brink of history, before Caruso equalized from a Cristiana Girelli corner.
A draw would have been enough to take Italy through but South Africa knew they have to beat eighth-ranked Italy to progress, although in a turbulent final 20 minutes, both teams stood on the brink of qualifying.
At last, in the second minute of stoppage time, Magaia provided the assist in the box for Themba Kgatlana’s match-winner and South Africa was through in a moment of huge significance for women’s sport in their country and African continent as they join Nigeria in the Round of 16 stage.
Elsewhere, Anna Blomqvist’s 66 minute header and Elin Rubensson’s penalty in the 90 minute ensured that Sweden finished top of Group G and will now play World Cup defending champions, USA in the last 16 on Sunday while South Africa faces Netherlands earlier on the same day.
Meanwhile, the Reggae Girlz of Jamaica are the second team on Wednesday to earn qualification for the knockout stages for the first time ever following a 0-0 draw against Brazil.
It also means Jamaica is the first Caribbean nation to ever reach the knockout stage, something few would have predicted happening ahead of the tournament.
By the barren draw, Jamaica finished second in Group F with five points thus one of the “Super powers” of women football and perennial campaigners, Brazil with four points from three matches crashed out from the competition, the first time in 28 years that Brazil has failed to get through the group stages.
All of the Jamaican squad and coaching staff are out celebrating on the pitch, some of them in tears while
Brazil’s players look shell-shocked, none more so than captain Marta, who has just made her final World Cup appearance. This is the first time in 28 years that Brazil has failed to get through the group stages.
In the other Group F game on Wednesday, France humiliated Panama 6-3 in a high-scoring affair.
It looked a bit shaky at the beginning, but France overcame any issues to book its place in the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup with the easy win over Panama.
Marta Cox’s stunning free kick put Panama up early on, but France recovered quickly by scoring five unanswered to take control of the match.
Kadidiatou Diani was the star of the show, scoring a hat-trick to become the first female French player to do so at the World Cup.
Panama did give its fans something to cheer for late on with a late flurry of goals, bringing about wild scenes of jubilant, dancing celebrations.
Vicki Bècho’s late goal completed the goal fest as France topped Group F where it will now face the runner-up of Group H.
