A Banyana Banyana duo has embarked on a new adventure, signing with Mazatlán F.C. Femenil in the burgeoning Liga MX Femenil.
The two Banyana Banyana stars join their compatriots, Thembi Kgatlana and Jermaine Seoposenwe, in Mexico.
Kgatlana penned a deal with Tigres UANL Femenil from USA side Racing Louisville FC a fortnight ago for a record fee. The deal is reportedly worth $275,000 [R5 million], which is the second-highest transfer fee in the National Women’s Soccer League.
The attacker is set to earn $550,000 [R10 million] per year for the three years she will be at Tigres, while Racing Louisville will receive $25,000 (R460,000] if the 2018 CAF Women’s Player of the Year hits the 20-goal mark in Mexico.
On the other hand, Seoposenwe has been donning the colours of C.F. Monterrey Femenil since June 2023. She joined the club after her impressive displays at FC Juárez Femenil in her first campaign in Mexico.
With that said, Kgatlana and Seoposenwe are joined by Hildah Magaia and Sinoxolo Cesane in Mexico’s women’s premier division.
Mazatlán FC Femenil acquire the services of Magaia and Cesane
Mazatlán FC Femenil announced the arrival of Magaia and Cesane on Tuesday evening via a brief statement. “Hildah Magaia, World-class Gunboat! Now it is time to show the Great Pride of being from Mazatlán,” the club said.
“She [Cesane] is a South African national team player and now a Gunboat. She comes to defend our colours and demonstrate the Great Pride of being from Mazatlán. Welcome.”
Magaia put pen to paper on a deal with Mazatlán after a successful stint in South Korea in the colours of Sejong Sportstoto WFC in the 2022/23 season. She also enjoyed a stint at Moron Bk in Sweden and featured for TUT Ladies and AmaTuks Ladies in SA.
Magaia, affectionately known as the ‘breadwinner’, played a vital role as Banyana made history by reaching the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup knockout stages for the first time ever. She scored a goal against Sweden in what was her maiden World Cup appearance.
In addition, the striker also netted three goals as Banyana won their maiden WAFCON in 2022 in Morroco.
She will look to form a lethal attacking partnership with Cesane at Mazatlán FC.
Cesane, who made her Banyana debut in September 2023 against the USA, sealed the move to Mexico after parting ways with Chattanooga Lady Red Wolves SC in the USL League One.
The midfielder follows in her twin sister’s footsteps, Noxolo, who had a brief stint at Kgatlana’s new club, Tigres, before returning back to SA to play for the University of Western Cape [UWC Ladies] in the Hollywoodbets Super League.
Sinoxolo made a name for herself at Cape Town Roses and UWC Ladies, alongside Noxolo, before moving abroad.
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