Former Banyana Banyana captain Nthabeleng Modiko believes Desiree Ellis' ladies have a good chance of getting out of their FIFA Women's World Cup group, with the opener set for Sunday against Sweden.
Banyana fine-tuned their preparations for the World Cup with a friendly against Costa Rica on Saturday and won 2-0 courtesy of goals by Thembi Kgatlana and Hildah Mogaia's stunning free-kick.
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Modiko says the African champions' win over Costa Rica, who are also at the World Cup, a week before their opening game, was a morale-booster and should set the tone for the tournament.
"I think it was a very good and very high morale-booster to be winning against Costa Rica, just days before we can actually jump on the actual feet, I think right now the mood in the camp is amazing and everyone is feeling amped and confident," Modiko said on eNCA.
South Africa will be up against Argentina, Italy and Sweden in Group G and will be looking to reach the knockout stages for the first time after they were eliminated in the first round in the previous edition of the World Cup.
But Modiko believes the group is open for Banyana to create their own history, especially with the return of Kgatlana, who played her first game on Saturday for the country, since she got injured at the WAFCON (Women's Africa Cup of Nations) tournament a year ago.
"It's very much open for them. They played against Costa Rica, which is 36th on the FIFA rankings and Banyana are 54th, so the difference between the two teams just speaks volumes and for Banyana to have managed to get this victory, it stands them in very good chance in terms of qualifying for the next round," she said.
"We also heard Desiree Ellis saying playing against Costa Rica was almost similar for them preparing for the Swedish that they will be playing (in the World Cup group opener on Sunday). It's a big, big win for them and the performance was amazing. It seems like the ladies have crossed their t's and dotted their i's.
"The presence of Thembi Kgatlana has just been quite amazing and for her to be able to score that goal (against Costa Rica) it signifies her return, because remember the last time at WAFCON she got that terrible injury and she says it's a confidence booster after her long-term injury," she continued.
"Thembi was in front of goal all the time and is someone all the teams that will be playing against Banyana Banyana will be worried about," she added.
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