In the early hours of Saturday morning (16 March – 05h00 SA Time), two South Africans will also be going toe to toe in the Liga MX Femenil in one of the biggest games in the history of women’s football in Mexico.
Jermaine Seoposenwe’s FC Monterrey will welcome Thembi Kgatlana’s reigning league champions Tigres UANL in what has come to be known as the Classico Regio or Women’s Royal Classic, or even Clásico Regiomontano, Clásico del Norte or Clásico Norteño.
The much-anticipated derby takes place at the BBVA Stadium at 05h00 SA Time.
This will also be the first time the South Africans will face off in a league match since turning professional as they have always played in different leagues around the world.
Although this will be the 35th edition of the duel between the crosstown rivals in all competition, the weekend’s encounter is the 27th in the league, dating back to 2018.
The match-up is known for being one the most intensely competed derbies in Mexican women’s football – and the most important of the season for both sides – with results confirming the intensity: there have been 13 draws in the league – nine wins for Tigres UANL and four for Monterrey.
HEAD-TO-HEAD LAST FIVE LEAGUE MATCHES:
FC MONTERREY vs UANL TIGRES:
21 November 23:
U.A.N.L. Tigres W 1- 0 Monterrey W
18 November 23
Monterrey W 0 – 0 U.A.N.L.Tigres W
20 October 23
U.A.N.L. Tigres W 1 – 3 Monterrey W
26 March 23
Monterrey W 1 – 1 U.A.N.L. Tigres W
08 November 22
Monterrey W 2 – 2 U.A.N.L. Tigres W
The reigning league champions hold the bragging rights as they won the last encounter 1-0 in November last year.
What makes the clash even more interesting is that Tigres are top of the table on 27 points after nine matches – the only team with a hundred percent record this campaign. Monterrey is third, five points adrift – separated by second-placed Club America who are level on points with Rayadas.
Seoposenwe is among the top goal scorers with six strikes this season, while Kgatlana has managed four.
Across the border in the USA, another African duel will be on go when the National Women’s Soccer League kicks off this weekend.
South Africa’s Linda Motlhalo will be joining hands with Nigeria’s Uchenna Kanu as they tackle Barba Banda’s Orlando Pride.
Racing Louisville FC will host Orlando Pride on Saturday, 16 March 2024 at the Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky.
Kick-off is at 22h00 SA time.
Both Motlhalo and Banda are making their first appearances for their respective teams.
The Zambia captain was recently announced as a new signee from Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shengli for a transfer fee believed to be in the region of 740-thousand USD.
The transaction is the second highest in world women’s football behind Zambian teammate Racheal Kundananji. Her move from Spanish outfit Madrid CFF to NWSL debutants, Bay FC set the world record in women’s transfer in history.
Motlhalo is making her debut for Racing Louisville after her return to the American league – she was previously with Houston Dash in 2018 where she signed her first professional contract.
Interestingly, Motlhalo and Kanu will be on opposite ends next month for their national teams when the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana take on the Super Falcons of Nigeria with the winners booking their ticket to the global showpiece scheduled for July and August.
Other African stars who will be in action in the NWSL this weekend include:
North Carolina Courage:
- Cameroon: Estelle Johnson vs Houston Dash
Bay City:
- Ghana: Princess Marfo vs Angel City
- Zambia: Racheal Kundananji vs Angel City
- Nigeria: Asisat Oshoala vs Angel City
Kansas City Current:
- Malawi: Temwa Chawinga vs Portland Thorns
Utah Royals:
- Nigeria: Ifeoma Onumonu vs Chicago Red Stars
Houston Dash:
- Nigeria: Michelle Chinwendu Alozie vs North Carolina Courage
Racing Louisville:
- South Africa: Linda Motlhalo vs Orlando Pride
- Nigeria: Uchenna Kanu vs Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride:
- Zambia: Barbara Banda vs Racing Louisville
By Matlhomola Morake
