Hot Banyana striker Kgatlana on undermining Burkina Faso

Banyana Banyana are away from home to honour their CAF AWCON qualifier and striker Thembi Kgatlana warns against undermining Burkina Faso.

The reigning African champions want a win in Cote d’Ivoire as they look to secure a spot at the upcoming CAF AWCOIN tournament.

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As a key member of the squad coached by Desiree Ellis, Kgatlana is expected to lead the attack against Burkinabe.

Judging the FIFA rankings, the West Africans occupy the 139^th spot while Banyana are placed at number 45th following their improved performances at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

KGATLANA WARNS BANYANA NOT UNDERMINE BURKINA FASO

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Ahead of the first leg clash at Charles Konan Banny de Yamoussouko Stadium in Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday evening, Kgatlana wants Banyana to be aggressive.

Kgatlana, who led Banyana to their first-ever WAFCON glory last year, says the journey to defend their title starts now and they know every team will be gunning for their blood.

“First we look at the rankings, we are a better-ranked team than them. But, it doesn’t mean anything in football,” says Kgatlana per The Citizen.

“It is just something that can give us confidence for the match. Another thing is that we are the African champions, so we need to start this journey now by qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations and start strong.

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“I said to the rest of the team in our meetings that everybody is coming for us.

“We just need to be level-headed and play the way we normally play because the biggest goal is to defend our title next year.”

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The Europe-based Banyana striker adds that most of the players in the camp are experienced and aware of the demands of such games.

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“It’s been a long year, played a lot of tournaments and travelled everywhere. We travelled to Congo before this one for the Olympics,” adds Kgatlana.

“A similar trip to this one – long, demanding, but I think the majority of the girls from the Under-17 and Under-20 have been in this situation before.

“So, it’s something that we know it’s going to happen, we are going to be frustrated, we know they are going to make us get out of the game.

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“But, what we know is that we have to get a win knowing when we go home we will be comfortable and understand the setting and play better.”

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