On the afternoon of August 2, the South African women's team defeated Italy with a score of 3-2, thereby rising to second place in Group G and winning a ticket to the round of 16 of the 2023 World Cup.
Thembi Kgatlana scores the winning goal for South Africa against Italy.
This is also the first time in history that an African team has made it to the knockout stages of the Women's World Cup.
Notably, in that match, striker Thembi Kgatlana scored the golden goal in the 90+2 minute, thereby helping the home team get all 3 points.
Speaking after the match, Thembi Kgatlana shared very emotional information about his family situation.
The 27-year-old striker revealed that during the time she was with the South African women's team at the World Cup, three people in her family passed away.
However, she still persisted to stay and continue fighting and help the South African women's team to qualify for the World Cup round of 16 for the first time.
“We received a lot of criticism from the fans, but this is football. It is not easy.
In the past three weeks, I have lost three members of my family. I could have gone home but I chose to stay with my teammates,” said Thembi Kgatlana.
Previously, in the match against the Argentine women's team, Thembi Kgatlana also scored to bring a 2-2 draw for South Africa.
Speaking about her players' performance, coach Desiree Ellis did not hesitate to praise them: "They fought like warriors. They fought like the heroines we know they always are.
They fought to be remembered in history and they made history, not only our first win, but also reaching the last 16 and that is fantastic.”
In the round of 16 of the 2023 World Cup, the South African women's team will face the Netherlands at 9:00 a.m. on August 6.
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