Phakaaathi.co.za Unity saw Banyana through
KGATLANA: SPIRIT WAS ALWAYS HIGH
Striker was given the top accolade after SA women won title.
Banyana Banyana forward Thembi Kgatlana believes unity was key on their journey to lifting the Cosafa Women’s Challenge trophy after beating Zimbabwe 2-1 in the final on Sunday.
The quicksilver Kgatlana was voted the Player-of-the-Tournament. She scored four goals to help the team lift the trophy for the fourth time in the fifth edition of the competition.
“The spirit was always high in the camp, and we believed in our abilities. I think that is actually what helped us to win,” said the striker.
On their way to the final, Banyana staged one of the best comebacks in African football when they scored three goals in the last 15 minutes against Zambia in the semifinal to level the match at 3-3 and then winning 5-3 on penalties.
“It was a special moment, we never gave up. It was tough though, but we just knew that we can actually come back into the game.
“We pushed really hard and immediately after we scored the first goal we just said to ourselves this is our moment,” she added.
“Zambia really gave us a good match, they were on top of their game and started the match very well while we didn’t have a good start.
“Coming back from the half time break coach Desiree Ellis told us that we got this and it all depends on us how much we want to go to the final.”
Ellis made history on Sunday by being the first South African to win the Cosafa Challenge as a player and as a coach. The Banyana coach, however, says winning the cup was not about her but the players.
“It is not about me but the whole group. I will, however, cherish this for a long time to come,” said Ellis.
“That was such a long time ago (as a player), but yes it does feel special. I did not in my wildest dreams think that this could happen to me, and coming to this tournament that was the furthest thing on my mind.
“Even though I am excited with what I have achieved, the credit should go to the players because they worked hard for it.”