The reality is finally kicking in that Thembi Kgatlana will not form part of coach Desiree Ellis’ Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) squad as Banyana Banyana wrap up their preparations.
Banyana will be travelling to Morocco on Tuesday, as they will kick off their Wafcon title defence against Ghana on July 7.
But Kgatlana, one of their best players, withdrew from the preliminary squad for personal reasons.
Speaking to the media at the AW Muller Stadium in Auckland Park on Friday, Banyana goalkeeper Kaylin Swart said it is tough to accept that Kgatlana will not be part of the team.
It will be tough without Kgatlana
“I think it is a tough one to accept, but for whatever reason, we understand, and we respect her reasons,” Swart said.
“Like Jermaine [Seoposenwe], Thembi has also given her all to this team, and I think for her to be left out or for whatever reason she’s not with us, we respect that, but we know that her presence is still felt; it’s still known within the squad, and she is one of the leaders.
“It’s going to be tough, but I think we have players who are capable of leading the front, and hopefully, everything she’s done, she’s rubbed off onto the youngsters.
“It’s not easy not having Thembi here because she is a major force within the squad, but I think with what she’s left behind, we’re going to do everything in our power to make her proud.”
Time for other players to step up
Ellis also discussed the absence of the 29-year-old speedy forward, stating that Kgatlana’s absence will provide an opportunity for other players to step up.
“Losing any player and a player of Thembi’s quality is a huge loss, but like in 2022, we had players step up when Thembi got injured,” Ellis said.
“When Thembi got injured, I remember the whole country went into mourning, but we had planned and prepared for different scenarios.
“We had planned and prepared for different eventualities, and everybody stood up. And now it’s an opportunity for someone else to step up again.
“You don’t want to lose your top players, but it is what it is, and we must respect her personal reasons.”
