African Champions South Africa driven by unity ahead of FIFA Women's World Cup

South Africa's Andile Dlamini

African Champions South Africa driven by unity ahead of FIFA Women's World Cup

Ayoola Kelechi 22:46 - 16.07.2023

South Africa look prepared to take the 2023 Women's World Cup by storm according to goalkeeper Andile Dlamini

The 2022 Women’s African Cup of Nations champions South Africa head to Australia and New Zealand hoping for a positive outcome buoyed by the unity in the squad, according to goalkeeper Andile Dlamini.

South Africa looking for improved World Cup performance

The Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper will be going to her second World Cup with the Banyana Banyana after being part of the team that represented South Africa in her maiden FIFA World Cup appearance in 2019.

On that occasion, South Africa failed to pick up a point, losing all three group games against Spain, Germany, and China, scoring only once, and conceding eight goals during their ill-fated campaign.

Dlamini insists that the performance will not repeat itself as the reigning African champions are in better spirits this year than in 2019.

South Africa lost all three matches at the 2019 Women's World Cup
South Africa lost all three matches at the 2019 Women's World Cup

She told the FIFA website, "[That's] the feel that we need to keep with going to the World Cup, because if you have that unity and bond and nothing comes between you guys, nothing will distract you.

"So we had that. That's why we won the African Cup of Nations."

Dlamini maps out improvement plan for Banyana Banyana

After claiming the country’s first-ever Women’s AFCON title in Morocco in 2022, this crop of South African women will now aim to improve their lot on the global scene, and Dlamini has already identified areas that the team can improve going into the 2023 World Cup.

Dlamini noted that the Banyana Banyana will need to take their chances regularly while also keeping tight at the back.

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She said, "Every chance that we create needs to be in the back of the net. We need to play more compact and not lose discipline on the field of play."

South Africa play in Group G of the 2023 Women’s World Cup and have a good chance of leaving the group after being paired with Argentina, Italy, and Sweden.

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