WAFCON 2022: Kgatlana injury spanner in Banyana works
The 2018 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finalists were hoping to piggyback on Kgatlana’s performance from the last edition to help the team go all the way and, although this is a huge loss for South Africa, this will present a chance for other players in the squad to get more action on the pitch without being overshadowed.
Banyana already have six different goal scorers, including Kgatlana, in the competition so far, and the five others can help fill the void that the former Atletico Madrid star left in the team.
Nthabiseng Majiya, the youngest player in the team, will probably be given more game time, especially after getting the solitary goal that ensured Banyana finished at the top of Group C. Getting her first international goal will give her the confidence in the remaining matches of the competition.
The experience of Sweden-based Linda Motlhalo will be important in marshalling the team forward, and having scored already in the competition is a plus.
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies’ striker, Melinda Kgadiete, had a stellar tournament at the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League, having gone into the main competition as the Cosafa region qualifiers’ golden boot winner, and her experience in the competition will come in most handy, even though she hasn’t gotten her first goal of the Wafcon.
There could be a bit of concern with Jermaine Seoposenwe, who limped off the pitch in Banyana’s last group match against Botswana with a knock on the ankle.
Even though she was back training with the team there are no indications if she will be match fit for their quarterfinal match against Tunisia.
Although they are not on any scoresheets in the tournament so far, Noxolo Cesane, Sibulele Holweni, and captain Refiloe Jane are the other players who can unsettle any defenders and create goal scoring chances or even score goals too.
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However, the focus shouldn’t only be upfront, as making sure that the team doesn’t concede will be important in securing the second successive Fifa Women’s World Cup appearance.
Goalkeeper Andile Dlamini has been doing well in goal for Banyana and that shouldn’t be a position that coach Desiree Ellis should fiddle with in the knockout stages.
Bambanani Mbane, Lebohang Ramalepe, and veteran Noko Matlou have also been doing well in defence to make sure the back is well guarded.