Banyana 'keeper conundrum: Ellis explains Swart over Dlamini decision in Sweden defeat

Andile Dlamini was an integral part of the Banyana Banyana team that claimed the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on this very day last year.

READ | Banyana coach Ellis takes bitter Swede World Cup defeat on the chin

But on the one-year anniversary of South Africa's defeat of host nation Morocco to win the Africa Cup of Nations title last year, Dlamini was warming the bench in their opening FIFA Women’s World Cup Group G encounter against Sweden.

Kaylin Swart, her understudy in Morocco, was selected by head coach Desiree Ellis, which received mixed reviews due to her decision-making between the posts against Sweden.

Sweden incorporated a high press, applying necessary pressure on the Banyana’s defence, while Swart had to deal with 13 troubling corner kicks that eventually resulted in the Scandinavians scoring to earn a 2-1 victory.

After Hildah Magaia opened the scoring for South Africa, Fridolina Rolfo got lucky after a defensive mishap to equalise, while the Swedes used height to their advantage.

Amanda Ilestedt slotted home the crucial three-pointer in the 90th minute. 

Ellis, however, defended her selection and pinpoints her reasoning for opting for Swart over Dlamini.

"We knew that we are a team that also plays from the back and we needed players that were good on the ball as well, but also defensively good.

"We knew that if we were in trouble, Kaylin could kick us out of trouble, which she did on many occasions. So that is why we made those changes.

"We've been training with those changes for a very long time just to make sure that everybody understands the game plan.

"We also knew who would come on if the right back goes off [or] who would come on if the attacking midfielder goes off. That again would be dependent on