Thembi Kgatlana
Chrestinah Thembi Kgatlana (born 2 May 1996), known as Thembi Kgatlana, is a South African footballer who plays as a forward for Spanish Primera División club SD Eibar and the South Africa women's national team.[1]
Kgatlana in 2018 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Chrestinah Thembi Kgatlana | ||
Date of birth | 2 May 1996 | ||
Place of birth | South Africa | ||
Height | 1.56 m (5 ft 1 in) | ||
Playing position(s) | Forward | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Eibar | ||
Number | TBA | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
University of the Western Cape | |||
2018 | Houston Dash | 16 | (2) |
2019–2020 | Beijing BG Phoenix | 9 | (4) |
2020 | Benfica | 2 | (3) |
2020– | Eibar | 0 | (0) |
National team | |||
2016– | South Africa | 55 | (17) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only |
Club career
Houston Dash
In February 2018, Kgatlana moved to the United States to join the Houston Dash in the National Women's Soccer League. She was brought in by her former national team coach Vera Pauw. Kgatlana joined her South African teammates Janine van Wyk and Linda Motlhalo in Houston.[2] Kgatlana made 16 appearances with Houston and she scored 2 goals.[3] Kgatlana was waived by the Houston Dash, on 6 February 2019.[4]
Beijing BG Phoenix
On 22 February 2019 Kgatlana signed with Beijing BG Phoenix F.C. in the Chinese Women's Super League. She was joined by South African teammate Linda Motlhalo who also made the move from Houston to China[5]
Benfica
On 27 January 2020 she signed with Benfica.[6]
On 1 February 2020 she made her debut with the club being subbed on in a 3–1 win over Braga in Taça da Liga Feminina.[7]
International career
She represented her country at the 2016 Summer Olympics[8] and the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations, where she won the Player of the Tournament and was the highest goal scorer.[9] Kgatlana also represented South Africa at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France, where she scored her country's first goal ever in the tournament.
International goals
Scores and results list South Africa's goal tally first
No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 March 2018 | Tasos Markos Stadium, Paralimni, Cyprus | 2018 Cyprus Cup | ||||
18 November 2018 | Cape Coast Sports Stadium, Cape Coast, Ghana | 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations | ||||
21 November 2018 | ||||||
24 November 2018 | Accra Sports Stadium, Accra, Ghana | |||||
27 November 2018 | Cape Coast Sports Stadium, Cape Coast, Ghana | |||||
19 January 2019 | Cape Town Stadium | Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Challenge | ||||
8 June 2019 | Stade Océane, Le Havre, France | 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup Group B | ||||
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played 19 July 2019
Club | Season | League | Cup | League Cup | Continental | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Houston Dash | 2018 | NWSL | 2 (14) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 (14) | 2 |
Beijing BG Phoenix | 2019 | Chinese Women's Super League | 9 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 7 |
Benfica | 2020 | Campeonato Nacional Feminino | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Career total | 25 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 9 |
Honours
- Individual
- Africa Women Cup of Nations Best player and top scorer 2018
- Cyprus Cup Best player 2018
- African Women's Footballer of the Year 2018 [10]
- African Women's Goal of the Year: 2018
References
- "South Africa – T. Kgatlana – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Women Soccerway". us.women.soccerway.com.
- "Banyana star Thembi Kgatlana signs for Houston Dash". Independent Online (South Africa). 21 February 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
- "T.KGATLANA". Retrieved 19 March 2019.
- "Houston Dash waive Banyana duo Thembi Kgatlana and Linda Motlhalo". 6 February 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
- Dylan (23 February 2019). "Kgatlana signs for Chinese club". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- "Chrestinah Thembi Kgatlana contratada". www.slbenfica.pt (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2 February 2020.
- "Deram a volta com muita pinta". www.slbenfica.pt (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2 February 2020.
- "Athletes – Famous Olympic Athletes, Medalists, Sports Heroes". 24 September 2018.
- Sixaba, Philasande. "Banyana's Thembi Kgatlana named player of the tournament". ewn.co.za.
- Anwankwo, Akan (8 January 2019). "South Africa's Kgatlana clinches Africa Women Player of the Year for 2018". Legit.ng – Nigeria news. Retrieved 9 January 2019.