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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nSouth Africa\u2019s hero in the 2023 FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup win over Italy which sealed a first-ever knockout round spot for Bayana Bayana , Thembi Kgatlana has revealed the troubling personal travails she ignored to be at the competition.<\/p>\n
Kgatlana scored in the second minute of additional time to complete a 3-2 win over the Italians and after the game told the post match interview;<\/p>\n
\u201d Over the last two weeks, I\u2019ve lost three family members. I could have gone home but I chose to stay with my girls,\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause that\u2019s how much it means,\u201d Kgatlana revealed.<\/p>\n
The win also had huge personal significance for Kgatlana, who battled back from a severe Achilles injury that sidelined her for ten months.<\/p>\n
A determined soul who wanted to represent her country and inspire other aspiring young players was evident.<\/p>\n
\u201cI came back from a very, brutal injury to be here, to play for the country, to represent every single girl that wanted to be here, to make history with the girls for South Africa,\u201d she stated.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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