South Africa ascends against all odds

China's World Cup opponent overcoming adversity to fire on global stage, Associated Press reports

No one deserved to see South Africa finally qualify for the Women's World Cup more than Fran Hilton-Smith.

Take nothing away from the players and coaches, but Hilton-Smith has been the driving force behind women's soccer in South Africa, and to an extent the whole continent, for more than 20 years.