Hildah Magaia has given South Africa perception it may win on the Women’s World Cup.

Magaia scored for South Africa in its match opener, however was injured on the play and couldn’t end the sport. Sweden went on to win 2-1, however the efficiency gave South Africa confidence it may get a victory.

South Africa performs Argentina in a Group C match on Friday in Dunedin. Both groups are in search of 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 stated after the Sweden loss.

“We’re not underestimating the teams, but we know our capabilities.”

Magaia and her coach each stated she would “definitely” have the ability to play towards Argentina.

Good factor, as a result of she’s the Banyana Banyana’s spark.

The ahead scored on a pleasant hustle play towards 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 aim. Just a small downside: Magaia fell on the steel bar behind Sweden’s aim because the ball hit the web.

She got here out of the sport minutes later, the medical employees wrapped her wrist, and she or he missed the ultimate 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 stated Thursday. “She’s very influential and really versatile and really multifunctional. But we don’t focus an excessive amount of on one particular person.

“We don’t want to rely on one individual. We pride ourselves on teamwork.”

Magaia began her profession with the agricultural membership group The Brazilian Ladies, additionally an early coaching floor for teammates Lebogang Ramalepe and Noko Matlou. After the proprietor and coach of that group died, Magaia practiced day by day with a neighborhood males’s group for 2 years. She by no means appeared in a match and went on to play for Tshwane University of Technology girls’s soccer group.

After graduating, she signed with Möron BK in Sweden in early 2021 and scored 12 targets in her 22 matches. That expertise paid off in her World Cup aim.

“It did truly feel special,” stated Magaia, who now performs in South Korea. “I was looking forward to playing against Sweden.”

Magaia’s aim towards Sweden wasn’t the primary time she’s come by means of in massive moments for her nation. She additionally scored twice within the 2022 Women’s African Cup of Nations closing to push South Africa to a 2-1 victory over Morocco. She was the match’s joint-highest scorer.

“The motivation I take is from the WAFCON, on how we did, and how I did, and upping the intensity a bit,” Magaia stated in a information launch earlier than South Africa’s opener in New Zealand. “The stage is not the same. This is the highest stage, and it needs one to up their game and be ready for anything.”

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