Drogba boosts Banyana player at Caf Awards

Thembi Kgatlana got a message from Ivory Coast and Chelsea striking legend Didier Drogba to “keep on going” when he presented the Banyana Banyana star with the Goal of the Year prize at the Caf Awards‚ she said on arriving back in South Africa.

Kgatlana, 22‚ who also won 2018 Women’s Player the Year‚ arrived back to a small but enthusiastic reception at OR Tambo International Airport just after noon on Thursday.

Her nomination for Goal of the Year saw her super strike against Nigeria at the Africa Women Cup of Nations (Afcon) up against those of men and women players.

“I think that’s the best I could ever think or want to achieve,” Kgatlana said.

“I never thought one day Drogba would give me the award for the best goal.”

She was top scorer for losing finalists Banyana at the Afcon in Ghana in 2018.

“And because he was the best goalpoacher, it also gives me confidence going into the friendly games I’m going to [for Banyana against Sweden and the Netherlands in Cape Town in the coming week] knowing that Didier Drogba [told] me to ‘keep on going’.”

Kgatlana thanked South Africans for getting behind her in the public vote for Goal of the Year.

“This trophy belongs to them, not to me‚” she said. “I’m privileged to have it. “It will be a reminder that in 2018 I had a good season and the whole of South Africa backed me up with their vote. “So thank you.” Kgatlana was greeted at the airport by about 30 supporters‚ mostly from her home town‚ Mohlakeng in Randfontein‚ and mother Constance.

Father Gabriel had travelled with her to Dakar.

“I’m delighted. These people come from my community. They have been supporting me throughout my career‚” she said.

It was Kgatlana’s second nomination for Women’s Player of the Year‚ losing out in 2017 to 2018’s fellow nominee Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria.

The Houston Dash forward said: “I was panicking a bit, because Asisiat had taken it the last time.

“And when they called my name I just jumped and was full of joy [because] I [had] won African Player of the Year‚ the first South African after Noko Matlou 10 years ago.” –