South Africa's matchwinner reveals loss during the Women's World Cup

South Africa’s match-winner reveals she endured traumatic build-up to the Women’s World Cup after three of her family members died

• South Africa beat Italy 3-2 to advance to the knock-out stages of the World Cup 
• Thembi Kgatlana scored a stoppage time winner in the dramatic Group G match 
• Kgatlana revealed she stayed with the team despite the loss of family members

South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana has opened up on the loss of three family members during the Women’s World Cup, after her winning goal against Italy took her nation into the knock-out stages for the first time.

Kgatlana struck two minutes into stoppage time to earn South Africa a 3-2 win over Italy in Wellington.

The South African captain’s strike saw the reigning African champions earn a maiden World Cup win and reach the last-16 in the process.

South Africa finished second in the group behind Sweden, with Italy crashing out having only needed a point in the match to advance.

Kgatlana revealed post-match that she had suffered the loss of three family members over the past three weeks, but opted to remain with her team-mates at the tournament.

Thembi Kgatlana revealed she has lost three family members while at the Women’s World Cup

Kgatlana scored South Africa’s last minute winning goal to seal a 3-2 victory against Italy

South Africa celebrated their maiden Women’s World Cup win and a place in the knock-outs

‘We got alot of criticism, but this is football. It’s about who wants it most,’ Kgatlana said.

‘Over the last three weeks I’ve lost three family members.

‘I could’ve went home but I chose to stay with my girls.’

The 27-year-old has also fought back from suffering a ruptured Achilles last July to compete at the tournament.

Kgatlana only returned to action in May for her club side Racing Louisville.

The striker’s stoppage time goal saw Banyana Banyana triumph in a dramatic Group G clash.

Italy had taken an early lead through Arianna Caruso from the penalty spot.

Benedetta Orsi gifted South Africa an equaliser when her back pass rolled into her own net past goalkeeper Francesca Durante.

Desiree Ellis’ side went ahead for the first time in the second half when Hildah Magaia fired beyond Durante, only for Caruso to level for Italy from a corner in the 74th minute.

Kgatlana netted the stoppage time winner to provoke South African celebrations, with the forward turning in Magaia’s low cross.

South Africa will face Group E winners the Netherlands in the last-16 on Sunday.

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