Kgatlana holds the Banyana key
STRIKER: WE HAVE REALLY GELLED WELL AS A TEAM
Banyana Banyana striker Thembi Kgatlana will be one of the key players for the team at the Caf Africa Women’s Cup of Nations in Ghana, but the striker says teamwork will be the key to help the national team to succeed at the competition.
Kgatlana, who had a successful debut season at the Women’s National Soccer League for Houston Dash in the US, has downplayed her impact in the team with her speed and dribbling skills playing a huge impact in the team’s success at both the 2017 and 2018 Cosafa Cup, saying that without her team-mates, she wouldn’t be the player she is.
“It’s never about an individual, it’s all about a group, we are a team and everything we do, we do it for the team. We can be different as players, have different attributes and styles of play, but we all need each other,” said the striker.
“We have been doing very well in the last couple of months and we have really gelled well as a team and got to know each other much more in the last couple of months. That is why we were able to win the Cosafa Cup twice in a row. Now we are heading to a bigger tournament and I’m certain we will be able to continue playing as well as we have lately.”
Banyana played their last preparation match against the hosts on Sunday and lost 1-0. But the loss didn’t affect the team’s spirit and they still believe they will thrive at the tournament.
They begin their AWC campaign with a clash against their nemesis Nigeria on Sunday.
Knowing the strength and capabilities of the Super Falcons, who have constantly proved a difficult side to overcome in their previous meetings, Kgatlana is confident the team stands a good chance of walking away with a victory.
“We all know Nigeria have a very good squad and they have won the AWC many times before. So we know what we are going up against and I believe we are ready for it. It’s going to be a very interesting game because we know ourselves and our abilities,” she added.
“And I think as much as we have respect for them, they also have respect for us. It will be very tough and we will all be looking to have a good start to the tournament.
“That is very important, because once we do that, it will build our confidence and we will be looking to continue with that momentum and make it all the way to the final and lift the trophy. That’s what we are all hoping for, but we have to work hard and take it game by game in order for us to achieve what we want.”