Thembi Kgatlana excited to return to Banyana Banyana

Kgatlana missed out the Women's Africa Cup of Nations in July with the South African Football Association stating it was for personal reasons. 

She has clarified why she missed out on the WAFCON, insisting there was no animosity between herself and SAFA that led to her decision to withdraw.

"It's amazing, and always an honour to come back and represent the country. I'm in good spirits, I'm healthy, and for me that's very important to be able to add up to what the team needs of me," said Kgatlana. 

"I never had personal issues. Everyone had opinions, but I never had personal issues. It was something personal that I had to do, but nothing to do with the federation [SAFA] but me and my family. 

"Everything is fine and thank you to the federation, and also my club because I was absent for a very long time with my club. Thank you for the support that they have given me to be able to focus on the things that I needed to do."

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Banyana played a 1-1 draw away to DRC last week, with players based overseas only joining the camp on Friday in Johannesburg. 

Kgatlana believes they can get a positive result this evening after having an opportunity to analyse their opponents from the first leg.

"The first thing is we got a very important away goal, we got a draw, we are playing at home and that is going to help us to have the confidence that we need," she added.

"Like I said, we had a couple of days here at home to be able to plan well and see what we can get. 

"I mean the chances of qualifying are high, in the first leg we had about four players that were not here, who are regular players in the starting line-up to be able to help the team. We already watched the videos, so we already know what the game plan is.

"The coaches have brought us up to speed to be able to understand what they need. We saw their strengths and we saw their weaknesses. 

"I think now that we are playing at home, the home ground advantage for us is to be able to play for our fans and to be able to regroup and get the confidence that we need for the country."

Victory will ensure the 2022 African champions will contest the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.