There seems to be trouble in the Bayana Bayana team’s paradise as Thembi Kgatalana has been ruled out of the tournament due to the injury she picked up in Sunday night’s game against Botswana at the Mohammed Stadium in Casablanca.
Kgatalana, who is just 26, has been a key forward for the team as she is known for beating other teams’ defenses and is considered a boon for goalkeepers. Kgatalana is the current African player of the year and top scorer at AFCON 2018 with five goals. The injury appears serious as her Achilles tendon has been torn. She will be the second player to be ruled out from AFCON 22 due to injury, as our own Aisisat Oshoala is the first player to be ruled out and immediately flown to Spain. According to Doctor Rodney Mokaka, Doctor of the Bayana Bayana team
“The healing is guided by certain milestones that we must achieve. A full rehabilitation program will of course be put in place for her, but the sooner we reach those milestones, the sooner she will be back on the field. She will start jogging at about 12 to 16 weeks, which is about three months, return to non-exercise at 16 to 21 weeks, and return to contact sports at 20 to 24 weeks,” Mokoka said.
We wish her a speedy recovery.
