Banyana Banyana’s Thembi Kgatlana received a hero’s welcome when she touched down at OR Tambo International Airport after her success at the Confédération Africaine de Football (Caf) Awards in Senegal.
Thembi won the Caf Women’s Player of the Year and Goal of the Year awards, which she can add to her trophy cabinet that already contains a silver medal that Banyana Banyana obtained against Nigeria in the final of the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations.
Local followers, including her family community, neighbours and some fellow congregation members from the Mohlakeng Roman Catholic Church rallied round to greet her.
“When I saw all the people here to welcome me, I was overcome with joy. During the awards ceremony I simply jumped up in ecstasy when I was called to the podium. It was an honour to have also received the award from former Chelsea and Ivory Coast legend Didier Drogba. I also rubbed shoulders with Mo Salah, the Egypt and Liverpool striker, as well as many other top African soccer legends.”
She added that the awards could not have come at a better time to give her morale a boost for the upcoming Women’s World Cup in France.
She said she dedicates the awards to all women soccer players who are still not getting the recognition they deserve, and also to Banyana legend, Mpumi Nyandeni, whom she regards as her role model.
“It’s about time people start recognising us as Banyana Banyana.”
She went on to thank Mzi Khumalo, the Rand West Local City Municipality Executive Mayor for providing the bus that transported the local supporters and family to the airport to welcome her and is looking forward to receiving more such support.
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