It’s been a crazy week for Banyana Banyana’s Thembi Kgatlana in the USA.
On Saturday (September 2023) she scored a beautiful goal that saw her NWSL side Racing Louisville triumph over Portland Thorns for the first time ever.
On Wednesday (6 September 2023) she was part of the team that brushed aside OL Reign – another first for Racing, which took them to their first ever cup final.
Now on Saturday (9 September) she could be lifting her first trophy in the USA.
This is when Racing Louisville takes on a tough North Carolina Courage in the UKG Challenge Cup at 18h30 South African time.
With the Louisville, Kentucky side only three years old, this is a remarkable achievement – which could be made even more sweeter by winning a trophy.
And this match offers Racing a unique chance to slay three of the biggest giants in NWSL history in a single week.
But the hosts are no pushovers, with eight wins in as many matches against Racing, and they are also the defending champions. In the other semi-final, North Carolina defeated Kansas City Current 1-0.
The NWSL Challenge Cup is an in-season tournament among the league’s 12 teams.
The Challenge Cup final will be played at the WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina.
HEAD TO HEAD – COURAGE VS RACING LOUISVILLE:
25 June 23
NWSL:
North Carolina Courage W 1 – 0 Racing Louisville W
28 May 23
NWSL:
Racing Louisville W 1 – 2 North Carolina Courage W
11 September 22
NWSL:
North Carolina Courage W 5 – 1 Racing Louisville W
05 June 22
NWSL:
Racing Louisville W 0 – 3 North Carolina Courage W
07 October 21
NWSL:
North Carolina Courage W 3- 1 Racing Louisville W
24 June 21
NWSL:
Racing Louisville W 0 – 2 North Carolina Courage W
29 May 21
NWSL:
North Carolina Courage W 5 – 0 Racing Louisville W
27 April 21
NCC:
Racing Louisville W 2 – 3 North Carolina Courage W
By Matlhomola Morake
