Women's World Cup

Is goalkeeper Andile Dlamini the key to World Cup progression for Banyana Banyana?

Michaelson Gumede
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Big Match Sweden vs South Africa Banyana Banyana
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Banyana Banyana will play Argentina in their next Fifa Women's World Cup game and they have to collect all three points to avoid an early exit.

Banyana Banyana did not have the best of starts to the Fifa Women's World Cup as they lost to 2-1 Sweden. Desiree Ellis' Achilles heel could have been her decision to bench goalkeeper and star player Andile Dlamini.

As Ellis prepares her Banyana side to take on Argentina in their second match, GOAL takes a lot at whether it would be prudent to name Dlamini in between the sticks for Banyana.

Editors' Picks

  1. Mzansi to follow Zambia?
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    Mzansi to follow Zambia?

    Zambia became the first African side to exit the World Cup and if Banyana are not careful, they will join the neighboring country on the flight back home.

    Banyana take on Argentina on Friday and they will need to make sure that they avoid the same mistakes that they made in the 2-1 loss to Sweden.

  2. Benched for what?
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    Benched for what?

    It really made no sense. Why did Ellis bench one of the continent's finest goalkeepers? Dlamini proved herself in the last Women Africa Cup of Nations and was expected to start against the European side.

    However, Ellis has since explained why she opted to start with Kaylin Swart ahead of Dlamini, but that is like playing Nicklas Bendtner when you have Zlatan Ibrahimovic available.

  4. Banyana need Dlamini
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    Banyana need Dlamini

    Let's face it, Dlamini is one of the key players in the Banyana team. She has World Cup experience, having started two games in the 2019 edition.

    She was part of the set-up when Vera Pauw was the head coach and it makes no sense to bench her at the grandest stage of them all. Ellis needs to make the right call in the next game and restore the 30-year-old's safe hands.

  5. Banyana's hopes in reality
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    Banyana's hopes in reality

    Banyana stood their ground against a formidable Sweden side and they showed their galanty by scoring first through Hildah Magaia.

    But they let themselves down as they could not hold on any longer, allowing the Europeans to stage a comeback from 1-0. The same might happen when they play against the Argentines.

  7. Useful links
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    Useful links

    World Cup fixtures

    World Cup news

    World Cup group standings