Banyana Banyana forward Thembi Kgatlana has paid tribute to women’s football legends, Noko Matlou and Nompumelelo Nyandeni, who are about to retire from the national team.
Speaking in Johannesburg where the African Champions are holding a training camp ahead of the two friendly matches against their counterparts from Malawi, the Mexico-based star says she learnt a lot from the experienced pair.
“I’ve learned a lot from Mpumi (Nyandeni) and Noko (Matlou). Those are the players that I found in the team when I arrived at Banyana, I was really young, and I learned a lot from them. I am truly grateful for all that they’ve done for the country and the service that they’ve given the country over the years,” said Kgatlana.
After decades in the Sasol-sponsored Banyana, Matlou and Nyandeni will be playing their farewell matches in the green and gold and bid farewell to their teammates in front of their fans.
Matlou is currently on 173 caps – the second highest after the retired former captain, Janine van Wyk, who is on 185, which is an African record.
Nyandeni is third on the list of the most capped Banyana players on 149 – and will reach the magical 150 when she runs out against Malawi in one of the two games on Saturday (5 April) or Tuesday (8 April).
“For me they’ll continue being legends of the game because without them I don’t think Banyana would be where it is today. They’ve added a lot of value and influence making sure that the players that come into the team get the experience that they need,” added Kgatlana.
The UANL Tigres striker in Mexico returns to serve her country after an absence of five months.
She last played donned the national team jersey in October last year when they fell 2-1 to European Champions England in Coventry – she scored South Africa’s consolation goal.
Due to club commitments she was not named in the squad for the end of the year trip to Jamaica in November/December last year.
“It’s always an honor to come back to represent the country and I can’t wait to be on the pitch wearing the yellow and gold jersey representing the country,” said an excited Kgatlana.
She has already cast her eye to the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in July, where South Africa are the defending champions.
The Randfontein-born speedster did not finish the tournament back in 2022 due to an injury that kept her out of the game for a very long period and missed out on the lifting of the trophy.
“To be honest, I’m looking forward to playing this one. I played half WAFCON because of my injury but I’m thankful also over the years I’ve been healthy and doing everything to keep healthy to make sure that I’m ready for the national team and I’m ready for my club,” said Kgatlana.
But first there is the matter of the Scorchers of Malawi to contend with in two friendly games.
“Malawi is a very interesting country, we know of the Chawinga sisters and we know also of all the other young and interesting players that they have, and, like I say, you shouldn’t take the fact that they do not have like the highest quality of players like we do but they’re also very interesting team that we need to look at. I am grateful that we get to play the two legs with them in preparation for WAFCON,” concluded the UANL Tigres forward.
Banyana and Malawi face off at the UJ Stadium in Soweto.
Kickoff is at 3pm on Saturday.
In the absence of captain Refiloe Jane, Kgatlana is expected to wear the armband.
By Matlhomola Morake
