Women’s World Cup 2023: South Africa’s Andile Dlamini talks football and music

The finals in Australia and New Zealand will be South Africa’s second time at the World Cup. Dlamini started two matches when her country made its debut in 2019, going on a steep learning curve as they lost all three of their group games.

“It was the first time – we didn’t understand what we were going to be up against,” Dlamini says, looking back on their encounters with Spain – against whom South Africa led until the 69th minute of their opener – China and Germany.

“We did a lot of video sessions. Training and video sessions are different from the experience when you get on that field of play.

“And thinking of where we come from, our league was not professional at that time. Some players were training three times a week and it’s so difficult for a coach to bring in players, train with them for a month and then be expected to do exceptionally well at the World Cup.”

Banking on the lessons learned four years ago, Dlamini anticipates South Africa will fare better in 2023, when they will face Sweden, Argentina and Italy during the group stage.

As the team prepared to embark on their World Cup journey, a dispute erupted between the players and South Africa Football Association over several issues including bonuses.

A back-up team had to be hastily assembled when the Banyana Banyana players did not take part in a send-off friendly match against Botswana because of the row, which has since been resolved.

“This time around, we’re going as African champions with experience,” points out Dlamini. “We are not big-headed about it.

“We know it is 11 against 11 on the field and one team must win. We want to do our level best to make our country proud and our continent proud.”