Ian Wright slams Banyana Banyana after their 2-2 draw against Argentina. Image: Wikimedia
Arsenal legend slams Banyana Banyana’s game management
Banyana not only let down their supporters who woke up at 2 am to watch them, but they also disappointed their biggest ‘cheerleader’.
Ian Wright slams Banyana Banyana after their 2-2 draw against Argentina. Image: Wikimedia
Former Arsenal forward Ian Wright has slammed Banyana Banyana’s game management following their 2-2 draw against Argentina on Friday morning.
The South African women’s national team opened the scoring in the 30th minute through Linda Motlhalo before Thembi Kgatlana doubled the lead in the second half. Just as it looked like Banyana will get their first World Cup victory, Argentina scored two goals in six minutes to force a draw.
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Ian Wright, who has supported Banyana and England in the World Cup, was over the moon when Kgatlana scored the second goal, but as the match went on, the former England international became concerned.
Ian Wright frustrated by Banyana
“2-0 up after 70 min and still playing end to end. Needed to be much more streetwise and better with possession,”said the former Arsenal man in a tweet.
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After Desiree Ellis’ charges failed to defend their two goals, Wright slammed the team for poor game management.
“Wow. Once again poor game management from South Africa,” Wright said in a tweet.
Against Sweden, Banyana found themselves 1-0 up against the third-ranked team in the world but poor defending saw the Swedish back into the game. Just as it looked like South Africa would hold on to a famous draw, the team failed to deal with a corner which was headed home by Amanda Ilestedt in the 90th minute.
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In both games, fans have lashed at Ellis’ team selection. The 60-year-old opted to start with Kaylin Swart in goals ahead of Andile Dlamini in the games against Sweden and Argentina. The 28-year-old keeper was suspect to Sweden’s first goal and many supporters called for her to be replaced with the more experienced Dlamini ahead of the Argentina match.
Ellis decided otherwise and started Swart on Friday; in fairness, the keeper had a decent first half but looked shaky in the second half. Ultimately she was at fault for Argentina’s second goal.
