The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana will be without star striker Thembi Kgatlana for the rest of the 2022 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after she sustained an injury in the 1-0 victory over Botswana on Sunday (10 July).
Kgatlana, who recently left Spain for a new team in the USA, was also named Woman of the Match against the Mares. She was stretched off the field in the 69th minute of the Group C fixture and replaced by teenager Nthabiseng Majiya, who scored the winner against Botswana.
Kgatlana underwent an MRI scan on Monday (11 July) which confirmed the extent of the injury.
“Thembi Kgatlana sustained a complete rupture of the left Achilles tendon against Botswana, which was confirmed by the MRI scan this morning. Unfortunately she will be out for the whole WAFCON 2022 tournament and she is due for an operation back home in South Africa,” said Banyana Banyana physician, Doctor Rodney Mokoka on www.safa.net
“Post operation healing will be guided by certain milestones that we have to achieve, of course, a comprehensive functional rehabilitation programme will be in place for her but the quicker we achieve those milestones the quicker she will be back in the field of play. She will start jogging in about 12-16 weeks, which is roughly three months, return to non-sport after 16-21 weeks and return to contact sport 20-24 weeks from now.”
The injury is a massive blow for Banyana Banyana in their quest to lift their maiden WAFCON trophy with the help of Kgatlana who was in fine form. She scored in the 3-1 win over Burundi.
Kgatlana was substituted in the Botswana clash along with forward Jermaine Seoposenwe, who was also injured – she was replaced by Melinda Kgadiete.
“Jermain Seoposenwe sustained a soft tissue injury of the ankle against Botswana. She is doing well and will be available for training tomorrow [ Tuesday, 12 July],” added Dr Mokoka.
Banyana Banyana return to action on Thursday when they face Tunisia in the quarterfinal of the WAFCON at the Stade Prince Moulay Al Hassan, Rabat, while Nigeria lock horns with Cameroon at Mohammed V Stadium.
Botswana, the team that clinched one of the two slots reserved for the two best third placed teams, will take on hosts Morocco in Rabat on Wednesday, with Zambia up against Senegal at the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca in the first game of Wednesday.
| Date | Time* | Match | Venue | City |
| 13.07.22 | 18:00 (19h00 SA Time) | Zambia – Senegal | Mohammed V Stadium | Casablanca |
| 13.07.22 | 21:00 (22h00 SA Time) | Morocco – Botswana | Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium | Rabat |
| 14.07.22 | 18:00 (19h00 SA time) | Cameroon – Nigeria | Mohammed V Stadium | Casablanca |
| 14.07.22 | 21:00 (22h00 SA Time) | South Africa – Tunisia | Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium | Rabat |
Winners of the quarter-final matches will secure qualification to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Two losers of the quarter-finals will have another chance to secure qualification as they will be engaged in inter-continental playoffs.
By Matlhomola Morake
