It was a weekend to remember for South Africa as three players of the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana got on the scoresheet for their respective clubs in Mexico on Match Day 4 of the Clausura in Liga MX Femenil.
Thembi Kgatlana found the back of the net for Tigres UANL in the 7-2 victory over Leon on Sunday morning (21 January 2024) – scoring her third goal of the season following the brace she netted on Match Day 2. Against Leon, Tigres were leading 4-0 at the break, thanks to Kgatlana’s goal where she took the defence apart and scored with her least favourite left foot – blasting the ball past the helpless opposition goalkeeper. She also had two assists in the game.
The reigning league champions have now won all their four matches since the start of the 2024 campaign. They continue to lead the log standings after a hundred percent record with a haul of 12 points – two ahead of second placed FC Monterrey.
Not to be outdone, Sinoxolo Cesane, who was playing at the same time, was also on target for her new side Mazatlán FC Femenil but could not prevent a 1-3 loss to Atlas FC Femenil. Trailing 2-0, she halved the deficit but it was not enough as the opposition restored their two-goal lead. The South African had to stave off the attention of a cluster of defenders to register her name on the scoresheet.
The goal was Cesane’s third of the season – she rattled the net twice in their previous match, earning them an MVP of the Week accolade. Mazatlán has lost three games and won just once, and are 14th on the table with just three points.
On Sunday night it was the turn of Jermaine Seoposenwe who fired the second goal for FC Monterrey as they went to the half time break 2-nil up, and eventually won 3-0 against Queretaro. After a high press by her teammates, she put the last defender under pressure and dispossessed the ball. With the goalkeeper to beat, she coolly and calmly scored her third goal in as many matches this season.
The Rayadas are yet to lose after three wins and a draw – sitting in second position with 10 points, two behind log leaders Tigres UANL.
The three South Africans are on three strikes each after four rounds of matches – with Hilda Magaia still to open her account at her new employers, Mazatlán FC Femenil, who return to action for Match Day 5 on Saturday (27 January) against Toluca, while Tigres will face Club Tijuan on the same day.
Monterrey will take on Cruz Azul on Friday (26 January).
By Matlhomola Morake
