The Coach of the Swedish women’s National team, Peter Gerhardsson has revealed that the team would not be weighed down by series of “near-misses” when they launch their latest bid to win the Women's World Cup on Sunday.

Third-ranked Sweden, would face South Africa in their tournament opener, with Gerhardsson insisting that history would not be a factor to deny them a win in their opner.

"History's history and the future is the future, you can only live where we are now," he said on Saturday.

Defender Stina Lennartsson joined her teammates on Saturday, having been called in to replace Atletico Madrid's Hanna Lundkvist, who suffered a tournament-ending ankle injury on Monday.

Gerhardsson also confirmed that veteran captain Caroline Seger had been ruled out of the opener because of an ongoing calf muscle complaint.

In 38-year-old Seger's absence, AC Milan midfielder Kosovare Asllani will be captain and Elin Rubensson is likely to take up defensive midfield duties.

Gerhardsson stressed that Fridolina Rolfo was set to play up front alongside first-choice striker Stina Blackstenius.

"Fridolina's a star player, she's one of Sweden's absolutely best players and she's shown that.

"She has a different role at Barcelona but we have to use her higher up in position because that's the way we play against other teams. Gerhardsson said”

Access24 reports that Sweden are favorite to beat the 51st-ranked African champions and go on to qualify from Group G, which also includes Italy and Argentina.

The Sweden side has only failed once to advance to the knockout phase at eight previous World Cups, but they never gone on to win the trophy.

They were runners-up to Germany in 2003 and have also bagged three bronze medals, including four years ago when they were beaten in extra time by the Netherlands in the semi-finals.

Adding to a reputation as perennial bridesmaids at major tournaments, the Swedes lost the Olympic final on penalties to Canada two years ago.