Thembi Kgatlana and Jermaine Seoposenwe made history by being the first South Africans to start and play in the biggest derby in Mexican women’s football on Saturday, 16 March 2024.
Running out for Tigres UANL and FC Monterrey respectively, the two Banyana Banyana forwards lasted just over 75 minutes each in the Classico Regio, which ended in a goalless draw after Tigres had their penalty kick saved.
There was a full crowd at the BBVA Stadium, befitting of a match of this magnitude – which was the 35th in all competitions between the two sides, but the 27th in the league.
Tigres, who are reigning league champions, won the last encounter in November last year, but could not collect maximum points this time around.
HEAD-TO-HEAD LAST FIVE LEAGUE MATCHES:
FC MONTERREY vs UANL TIGRES:
16 March 24
Monterrey W 0 – 0 U.A.N.L. Tigres W
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
The league record now stands at:
Draws:
- 14
Wins:
- 9 – Tigres UANL
- 4 – FC Monterrey
Seoposenwe and Kgatlana were eager to be on the scoresheet to increase on their strike tally, which is six and four respectively in Liga MX Femenil for the current campaign.
With this result, the Rayadas remain second with 22 points, while the Tigres are still top of the table on 28 points.
Late on the same day in the evening, Linda Motlhalo finally made her Racing Louisville debut in the USA.
The South African midfielder, who was announced earlier this year by the Kentucky-based team, got in the action in the 87th in the 2-all draw against Orlando Pride – which was the season-opener for both sides.
Racing Louisville FC hosted the fixture at the Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville.
Motlhalo’s first match for the new club marks her return to the American women’s football league – she was previously with Houston Dash in 2018 where she signed her first professional contract. For the second match of the season, the midfield maestro will be in familiar territory at the Shell Energy Stadium in Houston for a meeting with her former club on Saturday, 23 March.
The few minutes she played will be a welcome relief for Desiree Ellis, Head Coach of the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana. The African Champions face Nigeria in an all-important fourth and final round of the 2024 Paris Olympic qualifiers, with the winner booking their ticket to the Games.
Motlhalo has been named in the preliminary squad of 30 players which will be trimmed down to 23 before departure to Nigeria at the end of this month.
By Matlhomola Morake
