Thembi “Pikinini” Kgatlana is a South African professional soccer player who plays as a forward for National Women’s Soccer League club Racing Louisville FC and the South Africa women’s national team. Thembi Kgatlana signed her recent contract with Racing Louisville FC on January 20, 2023. She had previously played for SD Eibar in Spain and SL Benfica in Portugal. Thembi Kgatlana has been in the news recently for her performances at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She has scored two goals in three games so far, including the winning goal in South Africa’s 3-2 victory over Italy in the last group stage match. In this article, we delve into the many facets of Thembi Kgatlana partner, parents, FIFA 23, siblings, and many more.
Who is Thembi Kgatlana partner/wife? Since when did the couple date?
Thembi Kgatlana partner: The Mzansi football star is dating her long-time girlfriend, Abongile Dlani. The couple has been together for more than eight years and frequently expresses their affection for one another on social media. Thembi Kgatlana wife Abongile, a soccer fanatic, played college soccer alongside Thembi, as they both attended the same university. The two dated for a long-time before finally exchanging vows in NOVEMBER 12, 2022. She sent her wife a clip on February 2 along with the touching message:
FEBRUARY 13, 2022 she shared a photo with her partner along with the caption: It is my destiny to love you, it is my destiny to always kiss you, it is my destiny to love you. Happy Valentine’s Day my love ❤ As can be seen in this picture, the couple appears to be having a great time together. The duo is constantly active on social media and frequently exchanges photos with one another. The couple is having fun getting their shots and creating precious memories.
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When and where was South African Thembi Kgatlana born? Who are her parents? nationality
Thembi Kgatlana was born on May 2, 1996, in Mohlakeng, South Africa. Thembi Kgatlana’s parents are Matlhomola Kgatlana and Constance Kgatlana. Matlhomola is a former professional footballer who played for Highlands Park in the South African Premier Soccer League. Constance is a housewife.
Thembi was raised by her mother and her aunt, Mamogolo Jane Mukosi. Mukosi was a close friend of Thembi’s mother and she practically raised Thembi from the time she was born. Mukosi passed away in August 2023, just days before the start of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Thembi dedicated her performance in the tournament to Mukosi. She holds South African nationality.
How old is Thembi Kgatlana? Her education and siblings
As of today, August 14, 2023, she is 27 years old. Thembi Kgatlana has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sports Science from the University of the Western Cape (UWC). She enrolled at UWC in 2014 and graduated in 2018. While at UWC, she played for the UWC Ladies FC, where she was named the 2017 Sportswoman of the Year. Kgatlana had to put her studies on hold in 2016 to focus on her football career, as she was preparing for the Rio Olympics. She also had to put her studies on hold again in 2018 when she signed her first professional football contract with the Houston Dash in the United States.
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Kgatlana has said that she plans to return to UWC to complete her degree in the future. She is an inspiration to young women in South Africa and around the world, showing that it is possible to achieve success in both football and education.
Thembi Kgatlana has two siblings: a sister named Mbali and a brother named Lucky. Lucky is a professional footballer who competes for Mamelodi Sundowns of the South African Premier Division. Mbali attends the University of the Witwatersrand. Her siblings, who are very close to her, are Kgatlana’s staunchest defenders. She gives them credit for assisting her in realizing her goal of becoming a professional football player.
How did Thembi Kgatlana perform in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup?
South Africa made history in 2023 by making it to the quarterfinals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup thanks to Thembi Kgatlana’s outstanding performance. With 5 goals, she tied for the tournament’s most goals scored, and she was also selected for the FIFA Dream Team. Kgatlana’s efforts against some of the top teams in the globe were especially impressive. In addition to scoring against Brazil in the quarterfinals, she also scored a hat-trick against Spain during the group round. She was a constant danger to attack, and defenders struggled to keep up with her pace and dribbling prowess.
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Kgatlana has become one of the most talked-about players in women’s football as a result of her World Cup achievements. She is currently regarded as one of the top players in the world, and she will undoubtedly be a celebrity for a very long time.
Here are some of her notable performances in the tournament:
- Scored a hat-trick against Spain in the group stage, helping South Africa to a 3-1 win.
- Scored the only goal in South Africa’s 1-0 win over China in the round of 16.
- Scored against Brazil in the quarterfinals, but South Africa ultimately lost the match 3-1.
In recognition of her success in the competition, Kgatlana was included on the FIFA Dream Team alongside some of the top athletes in the world, including Alexia Putellas, Marta, and Megan Rapinoe. She was selected for the Dream Team as the first South African female player. Kgatlana has become well-known in South Africa as a result of her World Cup performances. She is an example for young girls all around the nation, and she will undoubtedly be a star for many years to come.
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