Thembi Kgatlana has explained what needs to happen for Banyana Banyana to cope with playing against world-class opposition.
Kgatlana says Banyana’s performances could improve by introducing South Africa’s professional women’s football league.
The injured forward said this in reaction to Banyana’s 4-1 loss to Australia in a strength-testing match played on Saturday afternoon.
The warm-up match took place at a neutral Kingsmeadow Stadium in London in the United Kingdom.
HIGH INTENSITY
Kgatlana said it was evident from the game on Saturday that Australian players were playing at a higher intensity.
She said such high intensity comes from being used to playing at the same tempo in the domestic league.
“We can never emphasise the importance of having a professional women’s league in South Africa. The intensity and pace is too high when we play European countries. And we are not coping at all,” she said.
The semi-professional Hollywoodbets Super League, formed three years ago, is South Africa’s premier women’s football league.
The 14 teams that won promotion from their respective Sasol Women’s League Provincial streams compete in the league.
FULLY FLEDGED PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE
Few African countries have fully fledged national professional leagues for women’s football.
Kgatlana’s comments come as it is becoming clear the WAFCON champions dominate games against African opposition but struggle against world-class opponents.
The Racing Louisville FC player was not involved in the friendly because she is injured.
The 26-year-old winger suffered the injury at the 2022 WAFCON finals held in Morocco in June this year.
She signed for the American club from Atletico Madrid of Spain a few months ago.
The latest struggles were evident as South Africa hosted Brazil and lost 3-0 and 6-0 in two friendlies played last month.
The latest result against the 2023 World Cup co-hosts proves Kgatlana’s remarks.
On Saturday, the Desiree Ellis side grabbed the consolation goal in the 86th minute through Hildah Magaia.
Cotnee Vine scored twice, one goal each in either half before Clare Polkinghorne and Caitlin Foord scored to put the game to bed.
Australia and South Africa are preparing for the upcoming World Cup finals.
