Banyana Banyana’s Thembi Kgatlana has won gold in Mexico after lifting the Campeón de Campeonas trophy (Champion of Champions) on Tuesday morning (2 July 2024) at the Estadio Universitario Stadium.

The South African speedster’s UANL Tigres were victorious in a hard-fought 3-2 battle against Jermaine Seoposenwe’s FC Monterrey in the second leg of the season-opening contest. The reverse fixture ended in a goalless stalemate.

Both Banyana Banyana players scored in the match – Kgatlana (50’) and Seoposenwe (70’).

The Liga MX Femenil Champion of Champions clash brings together the champions of the Apertura 2023 (Tigres) and Clausura 2024 (FC Monterrey). This time around it was more special as it was the Classico Regio or Regional Derby for the first time in the competition.

Having joined Tigres in the second half of last season, Kgatlana becomes the second South African to win gold in Mexico, following in the footsteps of Seoposenwe who led her side to the championship (Clausura) at the end of the 2023/24 season.

This was the third edition of the Campeón de Campeonas.

Originally, it was planned for 2020/21 season but was not played as Tigres were the undisputed champions, winning the Apertura and Clausura in 2020 and 2021 respectively. The following season (2021/22) Rayadas lost out 3-0 to Chivas in the final, while, while in 2022/23 Tigres also beat Club America 3-0 to lift the trophy.

The new Liga MX Femenil kicks off on Saturday (7 July 2024) with Rayadas facing newcomers Puebla Femenil while the next day (Sunday, 8 July 2024) Tigres opening their Apertura account against Atlas Femenil.

READ: Kgatlana reflects on debut season with Mexico’s Tigres

SHARDUL THAKUR

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