Kgatlana hits out at CAF scheduling

Banyana Banyana striker, Thembi Kgatlana, has expressed disappointment that women’s football tournaments are not given the same respect as the men’s competitions.

Banyana are currently in camp to prepare for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in July that was moved from last year due to scheduling issues.

“I am disappointed because this tournament should have been played last year,” she said as they prepared for two friendly matches against Malawi on Saturday and Tuesday.

“This is something we need to start talking about, there is nothing we can do about it now because we are here. The conversations have started and we are playing friendly matches against Malawi to prepare for the tournament.”

“It is my opinion, there needs to be proper planning. I am disappointed because all the men’s tournaments, and I am not going to mention which ones, are planned ahead and everything is great. On the women’s side it is terrible, if that is the right word to use. This is something that has been going on for a long time where women have to take the scraps all the time,” she elaborated.

Kgatlana, who plays for Tigres UANL in Mexico, said they must be respected because they are also professionals, who have contracts to honour with their teams. Written by Ntsako Mkhari