Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis says Hildah Magaia will be ready for their next Women’s World Cup Group G clash against Argentina despite limping off injured in their defeat to Sweden.

Magaia was upset as he lay on the ground in the goal after he fell hard while scoring the first goal in a 2-1 loss in wet Wellington.

After being cared for by teammates for several minutes, the forward left the pitch slowly and in tears. He could only watch as Sweden came back and won in the 90th minute.

South Africa’s coach, Desiree Ellis, said Magaia’s hand and knee injuries weren’t as bad as they were first thought to be.

“Unfortunately she couldn’t continue, it was her debut goal at the World Cup, but she should be ok for the next game,” Ellis said.

Before facing Group G rivals Argentina in Dunedin, South Africa will have five days to prepare.

They hope to retain the services of striker Magaia, who scored both of her country’s goals in last year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final victory over Morocco.

Ellis stated that her team’s performance during their second World Cup appearance validated her pre-tournament prediction that they would not be a pushover.

Since going winless in France four years ago, according to her, her 54th-ranked squad has significantly improved.

In a 2-1 loss in wet Wellington, a distraught Magaia lay prone in the goal after falling heavily while scoring the game’s first goal.

Surrounded by teammates and treated for several minutes, the forward eventually made a slow, tearful exit and could only watch as Sweden rallied to win in the final minute.

South Africa’s coach Desiree Ellis stated that Magaia’s hand and knee injuries were not as severe as initially feared.

“I think we’re more mature now,” she said.

“You know, 2019 to 2023 are different teams. Players are playing at good clubs abroad and our league is getting better.

“It’s not where we want to be because we still have an amateur league back home but the players have gotten better.

“When we first came to the World Cup all of us were newbies.”

Ellis said supporters in South Africa would be “rejoicing in the street” at the fight shown by her side.

“They’ve shown resilience, they’ve shown bravery and we said people would find out what South Africa is about this time around,” she said.

“We went toe to toe with the number three team in the world. It took a superhuman effort from them to get the result.

“Even though we lost, I think it’s still a positive result.”