Banyana Banyana goalkeeper Kaylin Swart says nobody else thought they would make history at the ongoing FIFA Women's World Cup but that the player's knew deep down what they were capable of.
Banyana won their first ever game at the World Cup after a last-gasp 3-2 win over Italy in their final group game and also qualified for the round of 16 for the first time in their history.
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Swart, despite conceding two goals, made a crucial save at the death to preserve a piece of history for Desiree Ellis' charges, who would have been eliminated if they had drawn the game.
"It still has not sunk in yet, it's an incredible feeling. I think it's gonna take a little bit of time for me to realise what we have achieved and for this generation to make history," Swart told the media through SAFA Media.
"In the 28 years of my life I would never have thought that this would happen but we're living our dream. I hope the nation sees that we're capable of achieving these things.
"I don't think anyone thought we'd get this far, I mean they (Banyana) even shocked you, we're shocked (too) but we also knew what we're capable of doing. It does make it sweeter but it also shows that with hard work, if we just block out the noise and we focus, keeping it within the team," she said.
The JVW goalkeeper, speaking to the media in a separate interview, also highlighted that it's tough to be a footballer in South Africa, as women's football in the country is not yet professional and hopes their achievement will help the game get closer to being professional.
"I work a full-time job, I work 9-5 everyday and I have training at night, so from 7-9 I train and I'm at work from 9-5 everyday, it's tough to be a footballer in South Africa but we do what we can for the love of the game and hopefully one day we'll be professionalized," she added.
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