An emotional Desiree Ellis hailed her Banyana Banyana side after clinching a dramatic win over Italy to qualify for the knockout stages of the Women's World Cup for the first time ever.
"We knew it was going to be a tough game, but we knew what we are capable of," Ellis said post-match.
READ | Banyana clinch historic World Cup last 16 spot
"We trained for the last couple of games for a situation where what if we went behind and what we would do in that situation.
"But these girls are just freakin' amazing!
"They've come through every challenge we had to face in the past, I mean also no one gave us a chance today, but we knew what we were capable of.
"They fought like warriors out there today, and we said we needed to keep our best players on the pitch and we managed that by not pressing all the time.
"This win is for everyone back home, those also who woke up in the early hours of the morning to support us.
"This is for everyone involved in women's football."
Ellis also had special praise for a few members of her side including Player of the Match Hildah Magaia who scored her side's second goal.
"Yesterday I told you about our bread winner (Magaia) and today our bread winner came through for us," Ellis added.
WATCH | Historic moment as Banyana reach knockout stages
"But, we had warriors out there, I think of that save from Kaylin [Swart] right at the end which could have put us out of the tournament.
"This team never gives up."
Banyana next face the Netherlands in a Round of 16 clash on Sunday.
Kick-off is at 04:00 (SA time).
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