South Africa’s biggest revelation at this year’s African Women Cup of Nations, Thembi Kgatlana has been tipped as the biggest threat to Super Falcons’ star, Asisat Oshoala in winning a record-equaling fourth award as African Female Footballer of The Year.
Following a stunning goal that sank Nigeria in a shock result in their opening Group B match at AWCON 2018, Kgatlana went on to recreate her form and notched more in taking Banyana Banyana to Saturday’s final in Accra, such that she is a keen contender for the award that was once won four times by retired Nigerian icon, Perpetuia Nkwocha.
Kgatlana will first aim to edge Nigeria again in Saturday’s AWCON 2018 final, then pull off a personal feat on the podium come January in Dakar, Senegal ahead of Oshoala and Desire Oparanozie.
Also in the running for the award are ranked outsiders Francisca Ordega and Onome Ebi, who will also have to battle Kgatlana for the CAF Women Footballer of the Year gong.
China-based Oshoala has won the prestigious award three times, but Kgatlana is the leading scorer at the AWCON in Ghana with five goals including the match winner against Nigeria in their opening group tie.
South Africa’s captain, Janine Van Wyk, who is Kgatlana’s teammate at Houston Dash of USA, is also among the nominees.
