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2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
Group G
Sweden v South Africa
Wellington Regional Stadium
Wellington, New Zealand
Sunday, 23 July 2023
Kick-off is at 05h00
As African champions, South Africa will be under pressure to get a result in their
2023 Women's World Cup opener against Sweden at the Wellington Regional Stadium on Sunday, July 23.
Banyana Banyana finally got their hands on the Africa Cup of Nations trophy last year when they beat hosts Morocco 2-1 in the final, having also dispatched World Cup debutants Zambia 1-0 in the semi-finals.
They had fallen short of Africa's biggest prize on five previous occasions, losing the final to Nigeria three times and Equatorial Guinea twice.
Desiree Ellis' side have been tasked with making it out of the group stages, something they failed to do on their tournament debut in France four years ago.
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Ellis has highlighted the importance of getting off to a good start in Australia and New Zealand, although she acknowledges the world's no. 3 ranked team will pose a stiff challenge in Wellington.
"We're not only going there as representatives of Africa but as African champions and I think that puts a bit more pressure on everyone," the former Banyana Banyana international said.
"We are not naive but when you get to a tournament you want to do well. I think the first game is the most important - we have to get a good start and a positive result.
"The [SAFA] president [Danny Jordaan] has said we need to try to get out of the group stages so we're working towards that. We know it's not going to be easy but we have great belief in the players and the team.
"But it depends on that first game we play against Sweden. I think that's going to set the tone for the rest of the tournament because it's always that first game that either puts you on the back foot or gives you that momentum... it's really important."
Sweden are one of the favourites for the title, having made it to the semi-finals on four occasions and finishing runners-up to Germany in 2003.
The Blagult claimed a bronze medal in the 2019 edition, the third time they had done so, and have only failed to progress beyond the group stages once (2007).
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Peter Gerhardsson's side just missed out on Gold at the 2020 Olympic Games after they lost on penalties to Canada in the final and they are looking to give captain Caroline Seger a fitting send-off Down Under.
The 38-year-old midfielder would love to sign off with a winner's medal at a major tournament, having enjoyed a glittering career at club level.
"If everything goes well, she will step up her form during the tournament and then everyone will see how important a player like that is," Gerhardsson said.
"When there is an opportunity to do things, I feel this way ahead of every championship. We can win it, and that's enough for me."
Hildah Magaia was overlooked for the last World Cup in France, but her impressive form Sejong Sportstoto in South Korea earned her a spot in the Banyana squad for WAFCON 2022 and she repaid the faith by scoring a match-winning brace against the Atlas Lionesses in the final. The 28-year-old striker is confident of delivering on the world's biggest stage and recently scored four goals in four games.
Head-to-Head:
Matches - 4
Sweden - 3
South Africa - 0
Draws - 1
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