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- Thembi Kgatlana is CAF African Footballer of the Year
- She discusses the progress made by women's football in South Africa
- Follow the live blog for Spain-South Africa
By Busisiwe Mokwena with South Africa
South Africa may have taken a long time to qualify for its first FIFA Women's World Cup, but it did not take long to reap the rewards. The buzz of Banyana Banyana to reach France 2019 and participate in two consecutive Olympic football tournaments, helped to change the landscape of women's football in the host country of the 2010 FIFA World Cup ™.
Thembi Kgatlana, CAF African Footballer of the Year, is hoping that South Africa's performance in France 2019, which begins for them against Spain on Saturday, will propel the push.
"I think the World Cup is the right platform to put Banyana on the map, "said the tiny attacker," Seven months ago, yes, people knew about it. Banyanabut we did not have the same support as we have now that we have qualified for the World Cup. The impact is so huge that people are starting to notice us.
After South Africa qualified for France 2019, Kgatlana and teammate Linda Motlhalo signed a contract with the Beijing BG Phoenix in the Chinese Super League. Playing in China, public relations have allowed the duo to face other great African players such as Nigeria's Chiwendu Ihezuo, Francisca Ordega and Onome Ebi.
Kgatlana hopes that the prestigious platform of France 2019 will allow more of his teammates to win professional contracts.
"Teams abroad are beginning to show interest in Banyana players, "said Kgatlana. "We have about eight players, if I am not mistaken, who are currently playing professional football.
"It shows how much women's football is growing in South Africa Banyana Banyana, for the national team. I think that the use of the World Cup will be very important for the team because more players will be chosen to play professional football. This will open many doors for the country and the girls to give back to the country. "
Most players face each other at the university and in the local Sasol League. However, the South African Football Association has boldly promised that a professional women's league will be launched in August, once the girls return from France 2019.
"My hopes are too great for women's football in South Africa," said Kgatlana. "I may be young but there are people [who came] before me who was struggling and had no equipment, who had never known we would be here today.
"I'll take Janine [van Wyk] for example. She's always here, for people like her, it's a landmark event. But for those who played with Janine and stayed at home after hanging up, they are proud that their team qualified for the World Cup, which they could not do as long as they were still playing.
"Qualifying for the World Cup is not only important for the players and [coaching staff]but it's important for the whole country and the people who will follow us. "
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Kaylin Swart from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Kaylin Swart of South Africa poses for a portrait during the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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Mapaseka Mpuru of South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Mapaseka Mpuru of South Africa poses for a portrait at the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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Mapaseka Mpuru of South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Mapaseka Mpuru of South Africa poses for a portrait at the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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Lebohang Ramalepe from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 5: Lebohang Ramalepe of South Africa poses for a portrait during the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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Lebohang Ramalepe from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 5: Lebohang Ramalepe of South Africa poses for a portrait during the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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Bambanani Mbane from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Bambanani Mbane of South Africa poses for a portrait during the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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Janine Van Wyk from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Janine Van Wyk of South Africa poses for a portrait at the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 June 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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Karabo Dhlamini from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Karabo Dhlamini of South Africa poses for a portrait at the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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Andile Dlamini of South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Andile Dlamini of South Africa poses for a portrait during the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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Janine Van Wyk from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Janine Van Wyk of South Africa poses for a portrait at the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 June 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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Andile Dlamini of South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Andile Dlamini of South Africa poses for a portrait during the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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Andile Dlamini of South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Andile Dlamini of South Africa poses for a portrait during the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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Bambanani Mbane from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Bambanani Mbane of South Africa poses for a portrait during the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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Bambanani Mbane from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Bambanani Mbane of South Africa poses for a portrait during the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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Refiloe Jane from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Refiloe Jane of South Africa poses for a portrait during the official portrait shoot of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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Thembi Kgatlana from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Thembi Kgatlana of South Africa poses for a portrait at the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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Rhoda Mulaudzi from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Rhoda Mulaudzi of South Africa poses for a portrait during the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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Thembi Kgatlana from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Thembi Kgatlana of South Africa poses for a portrait at the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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Ode Fulutudilu from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 5: Ode Fulutudilu of South Africa poses for a portrait during the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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Kholosa Biyana from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Kholosa Biyana of South Africa poses for a portrait at the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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Mamello Makhabane from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 5: Mamello Makhabane of South Africa poses for a portrait at the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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Rhoda Mulaudzi from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Rhoda Mulaudzi of South Africa poses for a portrait during the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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Tiisetso Makhubela of South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Tiisetso Makhubela of South Africa poses for a portrait at the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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Thembi Kgatlana from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Thembi Kgatlana of South Africa poses for a portrait at the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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Amanda Mthandi from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Amanda Mthandi of South Africa poses for a portrait at the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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Leandra Smeda from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Leandra Smeda of South Africa poses for a portrait at the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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Jermaine Seoposenwe from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Jermaine Seoposenwe of South Africa poses for a portrait at the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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Linda Motlhalo from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Linda Motlhalo of South Africa poses for a portrait during the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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Sibulele Holweni from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Sibulele Holweni of South Africa poses for a portrait at the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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Noko Matlou, from South Africa, South Africa, poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Noko Matlou of South Africa from South Africa poses for a portrait during the official portrait shoot of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at Le Mans. Royal Barrière Hotel June 05, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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Nothando Vilakazi from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: South Africa's Nothando Vilakazi poses for a portrait during the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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Sibulele Holweni from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Sibulele Holweni of South Africa poses for a portrait at the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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Mamello Makhabane from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 5: Mamello Makhabane of South Africa poses for a portrait at the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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Leandra Smeda from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Leandra Smeda of South Africa poses for a portrait at the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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Kholosa Biyana from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Kholosa Biyana of South Africa poses for a portrait at the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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Bongeka Gamede from South Africa from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 5: Bongeka Gamede of South Africa South Africa poses for a portrait during the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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Refiloe Jane from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: Refiloe Jane of South Africa poses for a portrait during the official portrait shoot of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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Nothando Vilakazi from South Africa poses for a portrait
June 05, 2019
Le Havre, France – June 05: South Africa's Nothando Vilakazi poses for a portrait during the official portrait of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 at the Royal Barrière Hotel on June 05, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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