Impressive Kgatlana vows Banyana won’t be caught on the counter by canny Zambia

HER pace and skill in the final third leave her opponents gasping and Banyana Banyana attacking midfielder Thembi Kgatlana wants to keep it that way. South Africa take on Zambia in a semifinal clash in teh Cosafa Cup today at Barbourfields Stadium (kickoff 1pm). The speedy No 11 knows the knockout phase of the tournament will be tough. “We’ve played against Zambia before and they are a side we cannot afford to underestimate in this tie,” Kgatlana says. “They are a bit more like us. They like to keep the ball while pressing forward as a unit in search for goals. Sometimes, they like catching their opponents on the counter. They are very good at that. We know how to do that as well. We prepared well against them, and if they think that they’ll catch us on counter attacks, then they’ve got another think coming.” Meanwhile, Kgatlana stated that coming into this tournament she had been aiming to finish top goal-scorer. However, having scored just two goals, at the same time as being very effective in breaking through the opposition’s defence and creating scoring opportunities for her teammates, the Banyana star revealed that she is now hoping to push for the Player of the Tournament accolade instead. “(My plan) has changed... sides (like Kenya) have won one of their matches (against Mauritius) by 11-0. I had to channel my focus to something that’s more attainable for me which is Player of Tournament. And I believe that it’s possible to win it,” Kgatlana added.