Picture: Instagram/Thembi Kgatlana
Mzansi was wondering where the Banyana Banyana forward, Thembi Kgatlana was when the national team bowed out of the semi-final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024.
Banyana Banyana, coached by Desiree Ellis, were eliminated after they lost 2-1 to the Super Falcons of Nigeria.
Thembi who had withdrawn before the tournament has come back to shed the light on her absence.
The Far Post reported that Thembi said: “It was difficult for me to watch Banyana Banyana exit WAFCON 2024 from the side lines, but I am proud of the girls’ fight and achievement.”
“My absence from the tournament has drawn speculation, but I want to simply clarify that I am taking a pre-arranged leave of absence from all football for personal reasons. I love representing my country and will do so again in the future.
“To Tigres fans concerned that I have not returned to Mexico, I will see you all again very soon and will continue to give my all for the shirt. There is nothing to worry about and no deeper story. Thank you for all the concerns,” said Thembi.
Banyana Banyana made Mzansi proud with their good game during the WAFCON, they played to the best of their abilities and have come with victories.
The national team still needs to lock heads with Ghana on the field for a Bronze medal on July 25, at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco. Weighing in on this, Banyana Banyana forward Jermaine Seoposenwe shared that she believes that it will be important for the South Africa senior women’s national team to return home with a medal.
“Playing in the third and fourth place is disappointing to say the least, but I think as professionals we definitely just have to step up and take the responsibility of what this match brings. At the end of the day, we as African champions believe that going home with the bronze medal would still be somewhat of a consolation. But I think the team is still motivated, and we have to accept where we are as a group and still go out there and fight in our last match in this tournament,” said Jermaine.
Also see: Banyana Banyana’s WAFCON dreams ended by Nigeria’s Super Falcons