Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has reminded her players there's no room for error in international soccer and that goals win games.
This comes after the debutants at this year's World Cup in France suffered a 3-1 loss to Spain in their openings Group B match on Saturday evening.
Banyana, who ended the match with 10 players following the sending off of left back Nothando Vilakazi, stunned the Spaniards just before the half hour-mark when Africa's best player Thembi Kgatlana's right footed curling shot beat Spain's goalkeeper Sandra Paños.
Kgatlana had another glorious opportunity in the second half to double South Africa's lead and possibly put the game to bed, but the African player of the year fluffed her shot which eventually proved to be costly in the end.
This proved to be costly as Spain replied with two penalties scored by Jennifer Hermoso and another from Lucia Garcia.
"Goals wins games, it's as simple as that," Ellis told snl24.com/kickoff.
"We had a great chance in the first half and another early in the second half and should have scored then to go 2-0 up… game over then.
""But eish! It's always been our challenge and this should be another reminder for us what happens if you don't take your chances. With all that said I think the girls were fantastic. I cannot fault their effort and commitment," said the former Banyana midfielder.
Banyana face China in their second group match on Thursday which Ellis described as a "must-win" encounter before their final match against one of the tournament favourites Germany four days later.