Dylan Bettencourt
Banyana Banyana superstar Thembi Kgatlana picked up the woman of the match award on Sunday night – but she also picked up an injury that has ruled her out of the tournament.
Kgatlana had to be assisted to pick up her award with her ankle heavily strapped following the team’s 1-0 victory over Botswana.
Banyana Banyana physician Doctor Rodney Mokoka confirmed that the star will be sent home for an operation on her ankle.
“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,” Mokoka said on Monday.
The 26-year-old revealed that she doesn’t know how long she will have to remain sidelined.
“I have a sprain. I hope to recover well and I hope it is not a serious injury,” Kgatlana said after the game.
Receiving her women of the match award, the Racing Louisville striker said it was a source of pride for her.
“But it is teamwork that is most important. All the players played well today. We have been able to stay organised, work with a good team spirit and remain united,” said Kgatlana.
She was hopeful that she could recover in time for Banyana’s next fixture but scans on Monday revealed the injury was too severe.
Banyana on the other hand will have little time to recover from the news as they face Tunisia in the quarter-final on Thursday.
A win over Tunisia would not only put Banyana Banyana in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) semi-finals but it would secure their spot at the Fifa World Cup.
Banyana will head into the encounter overwhelming favourites as Tunisia only managed one win during the group stages.
The North African side won their opening match 4-1 over Togo but suffered defeats against Zambia and Cameroon in the next two games.
Banyana remain undefeated in the tournament after winning all three of their group stages games.
Image source: @CAFOnline
