Banyana Banyana have themselves to blame for not grabbing their first win at their maiden Fifa Women's World Cup after allowing Spain to beat them 3-1 in their opening Group B match in Le Havre, France, last night.
Banyana's star striker Thembi Kgatlana scored a historic goal for the SA team in the 25th minute, catching Spain goalkeeper Sandra Panos off her line for the match's opening goal.
Despite facing an avalanche of attacks from the Spanish side, Banyana managed to hold on to their lead until half-time, but things were not to favour them in the second half when they conceded two penalties.
Striker Jennifer Hermoso was the hero for the Spanish side as she punished the South Africans in the 69th and 82nd minutes before substitute Lucia Garcia ended any Banyana hopes with a third goal on the stroke of full-time.
Desiree Ellis's task will not get easier in Banyana's second match as they face China at Parc des Princes in Paris on Thursday
Banyana, who finished with 10 players after Nothando Vilakazi was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Garcia when conceding the second penalty, were guilty of giving Spain all the possession and only hoping to catch their opponents on the break using Kgatlana's speed.
The plan seemed to work at times in the first half, but when they needed to hold on to the ball in the second half to control the game, they simply ran out of ideas.
Though Banyana had come to the World Cup on the back of poor form with nine straight defeats in the preparation matches, it was hoped they would find their form with a full-strength team at the global showpiece.
Desiree Ellis's task will not get easier in Banyana's second match as they face China at Parc des Princes in Paris on Thursday.
China lost 1-0 to two-time champions Germany in their opening match yesterday, which means they will target Banyana for the three points that could be enough to see them through to the round of 16 in which four best third-placed teams also qualify.
Ellis will have to change her plans against China on top of finding a replacement for the reliable Vilakazi in her defence. Parking the bus and waiting for their opponents to attack is a plan that will not work against the Chinese, who will come to them guns blazing after their defeat against the Germans.
Support for Kgatlana up front will have to be strong and the players like Linda Motlhalo, who were simply overwhelmed by the occasion last night, will have to be vastly improved.
There were also question marks about Ellis's decision to pick Andile Dlamini in goals when she played the entire Africa Women Cup of Nations in Ghana in December with Kaylin Swart between the poles. Another surprise starter was veteran defender Noko Matlou in the centre of the defence ahead of Bambani Mbane, another player who was key for Banyana in Ghana.
Spain(0) 3
Banyana Banyana (1) 1
GOALS: Spain - Jennifer Hermoso (69m pen) (82m pen); Lucia Garcia (89m); Banyana - Thembi Kgatlana (25m)
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