Five wrongs Banyana must right to stay alive in World Cup

Banyana Banyana were certainly not outmatched by Sweden during their 2-1 loss in Group G World Cup opener on Sunday, but they do have departments they need to sharpen up when they face Argentina in Dunedin on Friday morning.

News24 looks at five areas that need addressing:

Noko must return to defence

A picture of Swedish defender Amanda Ilestedt towering over her Banyana opponents doing the rounds on social media sums up where South Africa lost the game against Sweden.

Ilestedt's header from a corner on the stroke of full-time settled the game for Sweden.

There is no substitute for pace and definitely no replacement for height and Banyana coach Desiree Ellis' charges were significantly dwarfed.

A significant absentee from Banyana's back four was Noko Matlou, who is the closest thing Banyana have that resembles a tall order in their team.

The goals Banyana conceded came from a cross and a corner that were badly handled by a Banyana defensive line that is small in stature in relation to the tall Swedes.

There was a stream of set-pieces that Banyana couldn't deal with effectively and this is where Matlou's far better command of her aerial space was much needed.

A change in defence to accommodate Matlou could and should see the brilliant Bongeka Gamede shifting to left-back, with Sibulele Holweni either moving forward or coming off the bench.

Andile Dlamini must start

Ellis has made it clear that Kaylin Swart has the better distribution game which made her the preferred choice ahead of Andile Dlamini in the Sweden game.

However, Dlamini, who was voted the continent's best goalkeeper at last year's Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, is the better goalkeeper.

Dlamini also has extensive continental experience with Mamelodi