Banyana Banyana continued their preparations for the Women's World Cup with a 3-2 loss to Serbia in an international friendly on Monday afternoon.
The Serbians came into the clash in a rampant mood after they thrashed Bosnia-Herzegovina for 6-0 three days go, and they carried that momentum into this game by opening the scoring on eight minutes.
The lead was doubled in the 16th minute, with Milica Mijatovic volleying home from close range after Banyana failed to deal with a cross into the box.
The game looked to be getting away from the South Africans, as Serbia extended their advantage in the 22nd minute thanks to a strike from Bayern Munich forward Jovana Damnjanovic.
The African champions did reduce the deficit eight minutes later through Hildah Magaia, who who raced onto a cross into the box and sent a first-time finish into the bottom corner.
Watch Magaia's goal below:
Hildah Magaia goal.#LiveTheImpossible pic.twitter.com/bpvDWfr7vO
— Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) April 10, 2023
Banyana did manage to grab a second goal with 11 minutes to go, with Jermaine Seoposenwe finding the back of the net to set up a nervy finish.
The South Africans were unable to find the third goal in the closing stages, but they did manage to shut out the Serbians in the second half.
Ellis and her charges start their World Cup campaign against Sweden on 27 July.
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