Banyana played the South Americans at Estadio Sausalito in the first of two friendly internationals and were dealt a big blow when Seoposenwe was dismissed seven minutes before half time for a late tackle on an opponent.
Chile had taken the lead two minutes before Seoposenwe’s exit, but Banyana showed resolve to level matters as Refiloe Jane got her name on the score sheet for the 10th time in her Banyana career in the 67th minute.
Banyana, however, would end up on the losing side. Chile got the winner after the visitors’ captain Janine van Wyk gave away a penalty.
“It’s not the result we would have wanted, but considering the circumstances. I thought, especially in the first half, they had a lot of possession, [but] did not really [do much with it]. The set-piece was poor defending and we gave the goal away,” Ellis said after the game.
“But I think the sending off of Jermaine played a huge part in the way we wanted to play and we had to set up differently. But I felt with 10 on the field we looked more dangerous. We got the equaliser, but we got to remain calm and manage that, [because] we did not manage it well. We conceded a penalty, but the fighting spirit and will to play for each other says a lot about the team. I am disappointed with the result, but I felt a lot of character and determination was shown.”
Banyana will play Chile again tomorrow, at Estadio Santa Laura in the capital Santiago.