Thembi – Another R’fonteiner at the Olympics
Rand West's very own soccer star who was at the Olympic Games in Rio talks about women's soccer, her achievements and more.
Who would’ve thought that one of the South African soccer strikers at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil is all the way from Randfontein?
Despite the lack of resources and little interest in women’s soccer throughout the country, as well as lack of top flight soccer teams in Mohlakeng, the suburb has produced an array of top soccer stars, Thembi Kgatlhana being just one of them.
Like many other soccer stars from the townships, Thembi’s international soccer career was realised with a self-made soccer ball on Mohapi Street and the dusty playgrounds of Mohlakano Primary School. She was the top goal scorer in the 2009/ 10 Schools’ League.
Nicknamed “Pikinini”, she is a striker for the South Africa national women’s football team, known as Banyana Banyana, and has achieved nine caps to date. She made her national debut against Namibia in 2014 according to Sasol’s sports website, but her proudest moment was having represented the country at Rio 2016.
Thembi is one of only three Rand West athletes to be part of the global sporting spectacle that is the Olympic Games. The others are Bobang Phiri (400m athlete) also from Mohlakeng, who took part at the Barcelona and Atlanta Olympic Games, and Sibusiso Nzima (marathon athlete) from Simunye near Bekkersdal, who was also at the Rio Olympics.
Thembi said she developed an interest in football at the age of 8, while she was still a learner at Mohlakano Primary. She is currently studying at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). She first played soccer with the boys at Napoli Football Club in Mohlekeng under coach Maniki Sakwe. Later on, she played for Parma Ladies FC, where she had her first taste of international football in the Dana Cup in Denmark.
“I would first like to thank my coach Maniki Sakwe and former team mates at Napoli, who did not see me as just a girl but as a team player.
I also want to thank coaches Lesiba Sima and Deli Nzeku at Parma. I have since enjoyed playing against the best soccer-playing countries like Brazil, China, and the Netherlands, among others. I scored two international goals against Zimbabwe, and have just recently taken part in the World Student Games for UWC, where we came fourth overall.
“Despite being disappointed at the lack of support from both the province and the local municipalities, I am happy that the recent Thembi Kgatlhana Soccer Tournament was a success, with local and Sowetan teams honouring the tournament with their presence. Next time, the tournament will be even better. I would also like to thank the local business people who helped put the event together on a tight budget.
“I have positive vibes that we will soon have a professional side in our township. Women’s soccer is making strides despite the challenges,” she added.
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