Captain of the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana, Thembi Kgatlana, has made a massive career move, leaving USA’s Racing Louisville to join Mexican women’s football league champions Tigres UANL Femenil (Women) in a record-breaking transfer for an African women footballer.
She joins fellow South African forward Jermaine Seoposenwe in Mexico, where she is on the books of FC Monterrey.
The 27-year-old Kgatlana has signed a three-year contract with her new club after a huge-figure deal was reached with Racing Louisville — making it the second-largest sale in the history of the NWSL for an outgoing player, after Lindsey Horan’s transfer from the Portland Thorns to Olympique Lyon earlier this year.
“Naturally, we are disappointed to lose such a talented player who is a great presence in our locker room, but we had extensive discussions with Thembi and completely respected her desire for this move. This is a life-changing opportunity for her and her family,” said Racing Louisville in a statement.
The transfer also makes Kgatlana the most expensive recruit in the history of the Liga MX Femenil and the most expensive African women footballer of all time.
She spent only one season in the USA – which was her second stint in the NSWL after being on the books of Houston Dash in
At Racing Louisville she played 16 matches, scoring two goals with one assist.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for me to join one of the best supported clubs in the world, where success is deeply engrained in the fabric of the club. I want to help Tigres win yet more trophies and make history during my time in Mexico. Liga MX has shown over recent years that it is quickly becoming one of the strongest leagues in women’s football — African stars like Jermaine and Osinachi Ohale are already there, as well as other world class players like Jenni Hermoso,” said Kgatlana.
“While I never planned to leave NWSL so soon, Tigres have pursued me for a long time and were eventually able to make a deal with Racing. I could not pass up the chance to make a move to a club with such high ambitions to be among the very best in women’s football. I must thank Racing for allowing me this move. I have only positive things to say about the club and the people of Louisville who stood by me in my toughest moments. It is only thanks to them that I was able to perform at the World Cup this summer. My stay was shorter than planned but I will never forget the love and kindness shown to me. A new adventure awaits and I can’t wait to get started in my new colours.”
The Randfontein-born striker joins a team that used to be the home of compatriot, Noxolo Cesane, who has since returned home to join former club, the University of the Western Cape (UWC) which campaigns in the Hollywoodbets Super League.
Kgatlana arrives at Tigres Femenil who were recently crowned Liga MX Femenil champions after defeating Club America last month.
“I am very happy about Thembi’s arrival at Tigres. The truth is that she is a player that we have been following for a long time and we really wanted her to be part of the squad. She will give us different options to those we already have. Thembi has different characteristics, and I think it’s going to help us a lot. I think Thembi is going to feel very happy here and it helps a lot that she wanted to come here and be another “Tigre”. I am super excited for her arrival and to continue strengthening the squad,” said Tigres UANL head coach Milagros Martinez.
The 2018 CAF Women’s Football of the Year has had a fantastic year – coming back from a long-term injury to establishing herself in the Racing Louisville team, leading South Africa at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand following the injury to captain Refiloe Jane.
She will mostly be remembered for her famous stoppage-goal against Italy in the final group stages – with the strike earning Banyana Banyana an historic Round of 16 qualification, the first ever by any South African national team in a FIFA tournament.
Kgatlana was recently named in the shortlist of the Player of the Year at the 2023 CAF Awards, pipped to the prize by Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala.
Kgatlana’s first games for her new club could come as early as the first weekend of January when the 2024 Liga MX Femenil Clausura season gets underway.
The striker signed her first professional contract with Houston Dash – USA (2018). Since then she has been on the books of Beijing BG Phoenix – China (2019); Benfica – Portugal (2020); SD Eibar – Spain (2020-2021; Atletico Madrid – Spain )2021/22; Racing Louisville – USA (2022/23).
Kgatlana bid her USA teammates in a video message earlier today.
By Matlhomola Morake
