Thembi Kgatlana says in contrast to their male counterparts, low pay for women footballers in SA is a motivation for Banyana Banyana players to do better and stay longer abroad.
SA has seen Banyana players moving to clubs in Europe and Asia and staying longer. Over time fewer men have secured moves to top leagues overseas compared with the 1990s and 2000s when players such as Lucas Radebe, Phil Masinga, David Nyathi, Sizwe Motaung, Shoes Moshoeu, Benni McCarthy and Sibusiso Zuma excelled in Europe.
Another trend for male SA players is that many last just two or three seasons before packing their bags to return to the warmer climes, easier football and comfort zone of the well-paid SA Premier Soccer League (PSL).
This has been a hot topic, and most believe the trend has left Bafana Bafana unable to compete against other powerful nations.
Kgatlana, who has been playing overseas since 2018 and is now in the books of Spanish side Atletico Madrid Women, said unlike the men, SA’s women cannot afford to fail abroad and simply return home when the going gets tough.
“I don’t have that comfort,” the Banyana forward star said. “Yes, in SA we now have the Hollywoodbets Super League, but the truth is that it’s not on the same level as the leagues in Europe.
“So, if I decide I’m not comfortable in a certain league in Europe, I can’t come home because I will not be improving women’s football in SA.
“Men are comfortable. They can leave wherever they find it difficult and come home because they have a proper league to come back to.
“We have no choice but to stay in Europe, and that’s why you’ve been seeing the number of Banyana players that are moving abroad growing. It’s our only chance.
“And I think that’s why in a very long time we have never had one or two male players representing us at the highest level in Europe. I’ve always asked myself: ‘Why don’t we have Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah or Riyad Mahrez playing there?’ It’s not like we don’t have quality in men’s football.”
Kgatlana, 26, believes by persevering abroad she is not just creating a name for herself but also putting SA women’s football on the world map and creating more opportunities for emerging players back home. “I think the small steps we are making are great for SA women’s football,” she said.
It’s no secret women footballers don’t get paid a great deal in SA. With the women’s league in this country still new, Kgatlana said international prospects are far more attractive.
“Women’s football is growing everywhere in the world, and if you have the right people helping and supporting you and teams that will offer you good money, there are great opportunities for you as a footballer that will ensure a good life for you even after your playing days are over.”
Kgatlana’s football career has seen her criss-cross the globe. The former University of Western Cape striker left SA for Houston Dash in the US in 2018 and her stock has been on the rise since.
A year later, Kgatlana moved to China, where she signed for Beijing BG Phoenix before being lured by Portuguese outfit Benfica in 2020.
After Covid-19 disrupted her stay in Portugal and a salary cap introduced across Portuguese women’s football, Kgatlana was snatched by Eibar of Spain, where she excelled in front of goals before being poached by Atletico last year.
“My move to ‘Atleti’ was exciting and amazing, I mean over the years we’ve seen that Spain as a country plays similarly as SA, so to adjust for me wasn’t so difficult,” she said.
“Also, with all the experience I have playing in Europe, it wasn’t that difficult for me to adjust.”
Kgatlana will be looking to help Banyana with the African Women’s Cup of Nations (Awcon) for the first time in Morocco next month. A top four finish at the Awcon will see SA qualify for the Fifa Women’s World Cup.
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