Desiree Ellis, South Africa coach after the 3-2 win over Italy on Wednesday: “My players fought like warriors. They thought like the heroines we know they are. They made history, not only by winning our first victory, but also by qualifying for the round of 16. And that is really amazing. I said we were going to fight for every ball. We said we weren’t going to give up and they turned out absolutely beautiful. This victory is for everyone at home, the people who got up early in the morning to support us, it’s for them.
Thembi Kgatlana (Captain of South Africa): “In the last two weeks I have lost three members of my family. I could have gone home, but I chose to stay with the girls. It shows what it means”.
