Latest news with #Kgatlana
IOL News
4 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
'No deeper issues' but Thembi Kgatlana's absence laid bare Banyana's title defence
Thembi Kgatlana Right from the start, Thembi Kgatlana's unexpected withdrawal from Banyana Banyana's squad raised serious questions about the team's chances at WAFCON in Morocco. Photo: BackpagePix The absence of Thembi Kgatlana was glaringly felt during the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) finishing in Morocco this weekend, where South Africa's national team, Banyana Banyana failed to defend their title. The 83-times capped striker, known for her remarkable goal-scoring capabilities, left a void that the team struggled to fill throughout the tournament. Signs of Kgatlana's absence became evident in the group stage during Banyana's second group match against Tanzania, when the defending champions failed to secure a victory, ending in a surprising 1-all draw. The inability to convert opportunities highlighted a critical gap in the squad, as Kgatlana's offensive threat was sorely missed. Even in the subsequent quarter-final clash against Senegal, which Banyana won on penalties, the team showcased their attacking prowess but could not find the back of the net in regular and extra time. Time and again, the South Africans prised open Senegal's defence, yet with no one possessing Kgatlana's finishing skills, they failed to capitalise on their chances.
Daily Maverick
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Amid off-field uncertainty, Banyana Banyana lean on team spirit to defend Wafcon crown
South Africa face off against Ghana in their Women's Africa Cup of Nations opener on Monday. South Africa's Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) title defence gets under way on Monday, 7 July 2025, against Ghana at the Honneur Stadium in Morocco. Banyana Banyana have had a turbulent build-up to the tournament that includes player strikes due to fees not being paid, head coach Desiree Ellis heading up the role without a permanent contract, and long-term sponsor Sasol's deal with the team ending as recently as the end of last month. Despite the background turmoil, the side is confident of defending their continental crown. 'We are feeling good, and we are prepared,' defender Regina Mogolola said. 'We know what it will take to defend our title, and we will have to work as a team — play for one another, support each other, fight for one another. 'Teamwork will win the day, unlike in tennis where you are on your own.' It's not the first time that the team had a sit-in before a major tournament. Before the 2023 Fifa World Cup, which was jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand, the team protested against the South African Football Association's (Safa) handling of the preparation. Despite this, the team united and had their best-ever showing at the tournament — having been knocked out at the round of 16. They will need a similar coming together in order to overcome the challenges that await them in Morocco, as they did three years ago when they were crowned champions of Africa for the first time. Experienced core Mogolola comes back into the national fold after a seven-year hiatus. She was part of the Banyana Banyana side that finished as runners-up to Nigeria in 2018. Banyana Banyana won't have the reliable Thembi Kgatlana to rely on on the goalscoring front after the attacker withdrew from the side, citing personal reasons. Kgatlana has been integral in Banyana's previous tournament showings. The forward was instrumental in South Africa's previous Wafcon success, as well as scoring the decisive extra-time goal in South Africa's 3-2 group stage win over Italy to see the country reach the knockout stage of a World Cup for the first time, in 2023. 'It's not easy not having Thembi here because she is a major force within the squad, but I think with what she's left behind we're going to do everything in our power to make her proud,' said Banyana goalkeeper Kaylin Swart. Swart forms part of an experienced core that Ellis will rely on in the absence of Kgatlana, which includes captain Refiloe Jane, Jermaine Seoposenwe, Andile Dlamini, Hildah Magaia and Linda Motlhalo. Black Queens Apart from Ghana, South Africa's opponents in Group C include Tanzania and Mali. However, Banyana's first match is expected to be their most challenging. Ghana have finished as runners-up at Wafcon on three occasions, and finished third three times too, the most recent being in 2016. Mali, in comparison, have only reached the final four once, in 2018, and it's only the second time Tanzania have ever qualified for Wafcon. The Black Queens' most recent form has been up and down, winning three of their last seven friendly matches since April, with their most recent fixture being a 3-1 walloping at the hands of nine-time Wafcon champions Nigeria. Since April they have also suffered defeats to Senegal and Ivory Coast. 'The Black Queens have represented Ghana in a number of tournaments in recent times. In terms of women's football, the Black Queens are the biggest movers in terms of the Fifa rankings when it comes to Africa,' Tophic Kadir Sienu, senior manager in charge of communications at the Ghana FA, said recently. 'And so we are all hoping that when the African Cup starts, the Black Queens will be able to lift the flag of Ghana high, and we are very confident considering how they are preparing so far.' South Africa are 54th on the Fifa rankings, with Nigeria the only African side ahead of them, at 36th. Ghana are the closest in terms of their Group C opponents, at 66th. DM
IOL News
09-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Thembi Kgatlana's bombshell leaves Banyana Banyana's Wafcon hopes in jeopardy
Thembi Kgatlana's unexpected withdrawal from Banyana Banyana's Wafcon squad raises serious questions about the team's chances in the upcoming tournament. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Star striker Thembi Kgatlana has dropped a bombshell by declaring herself unavailable for Banyana Banyana, who will defend their Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco next month. This decision, attributed to personal reasons, has sent shockwaves through the South African football community and raised concerns about the team's championship aspirations in the continent's premier women's tournament. Kgatlana, whose presence has been pivotal for almost a decade in the national set-up, first made her mark as a teenager when she represented South Africa at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Her ascendancy accelerated in 2018 during the Africa Women's Cup of Nations in Ghana, where she was not only a standout performer but also took home the Player of the Tournament trophy while finishing as the top goal scorer, helping the team to a runners-up finish against eventual champions Nigeria. Her international career includes numerous milestones, notably being the first South African to score a goal at the Fifa Women's World Cup during the 2019 tournament in France. More recently, Kgatlana played a decisive role in Banyana Banyana's historic journey at the 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup, scoring the winning goal in a 3–2 victory over Italy — the team's first-ever win at a World Cup, which secured their place in the knockout stage. With an impressive tally of 31 goals in 82 appearances for the national side, Kgatlana stands out as one of South Africa's most accomplished players. Her club form has also been exceptional; she scored 14 goals last season for Tigres UANL in Mexico, making her one of the most valuable players in Mexican women's football. It is difficult to fathom why Kgatlana has made herself unavailable. She has thrived on the biggest stages and once said: 'Who doesn't want to show up for big games? "I love big games because they motivate me. It allows me to express myself.' Despite her stellar achievements, Kgatlana's sudden withdrawal raises eyebrows. Traditionally, such decisions might stem from conflict with coaching staff or dissatisfaction with administrative issues — concerns which intensified when Banyana Banyana protested over remuneration and treatment by Safa ahead of their trip to the 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Coach Desiree Ellis has announced a preliminary squad of 28 players, who will assemble in Johannesburg for an intensive training camp starting June 19. From this group, 24 players will prepare for the tournament, with Kgatlana notably absent. Among other concerns is the fitness of Hildah Magaia — another key figure from the 2023 squad — who will join the team after completing medical assessments. Banyana Banyana's final 23-player squad will be announced on 23 June, ahead of the team's departure for Oujda, Morocco, where they will be based during the group stage of the tournament.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tigres downs Thorns 2-0 to reach championship of the CONCACAF W Champions Cup
MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) — Aaliyah Farmer and Thembi Kgatlana scored first-half goals and Tigres UANL defeated the Portland Thorns 2-0 on Wednesday night to advance to the championship game in the CONCACAF W Champions Cup. Tigres will play Gotham FC in Saturday's final in the inaugural edition of the continental club tournament. Gotham defeated Club América 3-1 in the earlier semifinal at Estadio Universitario. Advertisement Farmer, who played for USC before signing with the Liga MX Femenil club in January, scored in the 10th minute to give Tigres the lead. Thorns goalkeeper Bella Bixby misplayed a ball that had been passed back to her and Kgatlana took advantage with a goal that made it 2-0 in the 27th. 'I took the chance to press, and the ball was free to score,' Kgatlana said afterward. The National Women's Soccer League's Thorns pressed in the second half but Tigres' defense held. Goalkeeper Itzel González made seven saves for Tigres. The W Champions Cup is the annual women's club championship for the region and will serve as the qualification event for the FIFA Women's Champions Cup, which debuts next year. ___ AP soccer:
Winnipeg Free Press
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Tigres downs Thorns 2-0 to reach championship of the CONCACAF W Champions Cup
MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) — Aaliyah Farmer and Thembi Kgatlana scored first-half goals and Tigres UANL defeated the Portland Thorns 2-0 on Wednesday night to advance to the championship game in the CONCACAF W Champions Cup. Tigres will play Gotham FC in Saturday's final in the inaugural edition of the continental club tournament. Gotham defeated Club América 3-1 in the earlier semifinal at Estadio Universitario. Farmer, who played for USC before signing with the Liga MX Femenil club in January, scored in the 10th minute to give Tigres the lead. Thorns goalkeeper Bella Bixby misplayed a ball that had been passed back to her and Kgatlana took advantage with a goal that made it 2-0 in the 27th. 'I took the chance to press, and the ball was free to score,' Kgatlana said afterward. The National Women's Soccer League's Thorns pressed in the second half but Tigres' defense held. Goalkeeper Itzel González made seven saves for Tigres. The W Champions Cup is the annual women's club championship for the region and will serve as the qualification event for the FIFA Women's Champions Cup, which debuts next year. ___ AP soccer:
