THEMBI KGATLANA

ROLE: Banyana Banyana striker; and forward for Spanish Primera División club Atlético Madrid women’s team

Twenty-five-year old Thembi Kgatlana was born and raised in Mohlakeng, a township west of Johannesburg.

Thembi, or “Pikinini” as she is known by her fans, is famous for her success within the South Africa’s Banyana Banyana Women’s Football Club, and for playing for world class teams. Now, the midfielder and striker has just signed a massive threeyear deal with Atlético Madrid Fememino, a Spanish women’s football team.

Thembi had world-class experience, previously playing for teams in the USA, Spain, and China.

The most recent clubs she has played for have been the Houston Dash, which she signed with in February 2018; Beijing BG Phoenix, on a one-year deal she signed in February 2019; SL Benfica in February 2020 – a time which ended early due to complications arising from the COVID -19 pandemic – and then in July 2020, she joined the Spanish side, Eibar.

In July 2021, her latest contract with Atlético was announced – further cementing her international skills and successes.

Thembi’s list of honours is remarkable and includes her success as Top Goal Scorer for West Rand school league, all the way back in 2009 – 2010. Since then, she’s amassed a number of accolades in her field, including scoring South Africa’s first-ever goal at the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2019.

The same year, she won Momentum Athlete of the Year at the gsport Awards, followed by her win as Sports Personality of the Year at the Feather Awards.

She is the founder of the Thembi Kgatlana Tournament, which was established in 2017, and her biography, Strike a Rock – The Story of Thembi Kgatlana, written by Nik Kirkinis, was published in July 2021 by Jacana Media. It is available online and from all good bookstores.

Thembi says her life goals are to complete her degree in Tourism, and have an impact in female sports to enhance opportunities that decrease gender inequality.