Thembi Kgatlana is expected back on the field of play in April.
The Banyana Banyana forward told the media at her first training session with her new club in the USA, Racing Louisville FC.
Since July she has been side-lined by an Achilles tendon injury sustained at the 2022 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The incident happened in the clash against Botswana in the group stages of the tournament – which the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana won after beating the hosts 2-1 in the final.
Kgatlana however was not there for the last match as she had to leave North Africa and return home to undergo an operation.
She followed the tournament on television and started her rehabilitation – and that is where her focus has been over the last few months, before jetting off recently to the USA to join her new employers Racing Louisville FC in Kentucky. They campaign in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
Upon arrival she was met by falling snow but the great welcome from the players and the coaching staff warmed her up.
At the first training session, members of the media turned up in numbers to speak to her.
“The truth is the NWSL is the best league in the world and, obviously, as an individual, you always want to perform at your best and I think this opportunity also came at the right time because I’m at the peak of my career. I’ve been helping my country get to World Cups and the Olympics, so I think it’s great also to come back here to get the standard of the NWSL. It feels great every time I come back on the field and seeing my friends, I think I get more motivated because I feel like I’m closer to playing with them. And I’m also excited to join the club finally after a very long time,” Kgatlana told the US media.
After being assessed by the medical team at her new club, she expects to be back playing in about two months, while she continues with recovery.
“I made great progress at home. The federation of South Africa has been helping me and I’m happy to be here with Louisville. Hopefully in the next two months, say in April – the medical team thinks that I’ll be able to come back and join the team,” added the Banyana Banyana striker.
Racing Louisville FC finished ninth last season in the 12-team league, and made some new signings, including Kgatlana, formerly with Houston Dash (USA), Beijing Phoenix (China), Benfica (Portugal), SD Eibar and Atletico Madrid (both Spain).
“The nice thing about a new squad is people don’t know what to expect so I believe that with the players that we have here in Louisville and the players that keep coming we’re going to have to set the standard in the league obviously and wanting to do better than what the team did last time,” said Kgatlana.
“When I played in Houston it was the first time coming to the NWSL, and, like I said, the standard here is high, a lot of players are athletic so as an individual you always must make sure that you are at the top of your game. I come here with a lot of experience, playing almost everywhere in the world so I kind of take all the bits and pieces of the good things to be able to improve individually and I hope that I’ll be able to help Louisville.”
The 11th season of the NWSL kicks off on March 25
Key dates
- Jan. 23-Feb. 6: Pre-season camps
- March 25: 2023 NWSL Regular Season begins
- April: 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup begins
- Sept. 6: Challenge Cup semi-finals
- Sept. 9: Challenge Cup Final
- Oct. 22: NWSL quarter-finals
- Nov. 4: NWSL semi-finals
- Nov. 11: NWSL Championship
By Matlhomola Morake
