Banyana Star On The Mend

Banyana Banyana star Thembi Kgatlana, who had to withdraw from the WAFCON tournament, is on the mend after successful surgery on Wednesday.

Kgatlana, arguably the biggest star of the Banyana team, was forced to pull out of the squad, following her injury against Botswana in the group stages.

Kgatlana sustained a complete rupture of the left Achilles tendon. She had started all three group games, and her injury and that of Nigeria’s Asistat Oshoala were considered huge blows to the tournament.

By the grace of God my surgery was successful. Thank you for your heartfelt messages and unconditional love, they have been my strength and comfort. The Lord has been the centre of this injury, and he gave me internal peace. #MakeJesusYourAim #TK11 🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/aASbpmbJtY

— Thembi Kgatlana (@Kgatlanathe1st) July 22, 2022

But Kgatlana did stay with the team and celebrated their quarter-final win with the team against Tunisia. On Wednesday it was confirmed that she had a successful surgery in Cape Town and will now begin the road to recovery.

Congratulations team @Banyana_Banyana 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦
I am proud of each and everyone of you!

— Thembi Kgatlana (@Kgatlanathe1st) July 18, 2022

Kgatlana, who played for Atletico Madrid last season, is set to head to the USA now where she has signed for Racing Louisville, where she will continue her rehabilitation and prepare for life with her new team.

It will be her second stint in the USA havi

Banyana will play in their sixth WAFCON final when they face hosts Morocco in Saturday’s showpiece. Neither team have ever won the tournament before.