Banyana Banyana striker Thembi Kgatlana has reacted to the side’s qualification for the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations crediting a fighting spirit in the team.
Kgatlana scored the solitary goal in Banyana’s 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso in the deciding Group B encounter, having come into the match at the bottom of the pool at the Moulay Rachid Stadium on Tuesday.
The win coupled with Ivory Coast’s 2-0 victory over Tanzania in an alternating group fixture meant the 2022 champions finished second in the group with four points.
Banyana will face Morocco on Saturday for not only a place in the semi-finals but also for one of four automatic 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup African spots and Kgatlana said the win was a team effort.
“It was a really great team effort,” Kgatlana told CAF TV after the game.
“I think in the history of South African football, this team always comes back to perform. And we knew how much it was important for us to first get this victory, and then we’ll see everything that comes from it.”
Meanwhile, the goal against the Burkinabe was Kgatlana’s second goal at the tournament and it earned her Player of the Match accolade. The Tigres UANL Femini forward admitted the award was a confidence booster.
“For me, it’s a boost personally,” added Kgatlana.
“I started slow with the tournament it’s the third game and I think I’m getting my momentum.
“And thanks to my teammates, I don’t think I would be here today if it wasn’t for them for their encouragement all the challenges and difficulties we face every day in training. And this belongs to them more than it belongs to me.”
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