Cape Town - The Mexican media have given great publicity to the arrival of Banyana Banyana midfielder Noxolo Cesane who has joined Tigres Femenil, an outfit that enjoys a top 20 women’s club world ranking.
Cesane, who hails from Gugulethu in Cape Town, becomes the first South African to join the club in soccer-mad Mexico. She has been signed from Stade de Reims in France where she has been plying her trade since September 2022.
Previously, she played for the University of the Western Cape in South Africa's women's league, the Hollywoodbets Super League.
Cesane was a member of the Banyana Banyana squad that won the Women 's Africa Cup of Nations for the first time after defeating hosts Morocco 2-1 in last year's final.
VAMOS@TigresFemenil!!⚽️🐯💪🏿I can’t wait for the new experience and as well as seeing you💪🏿 https://t.co/1D6ySaqRyO
The Mexican league is world-ranked seventh on the women's national leagues list and Cesane will enjoy excellent exposure in the top-flight league there.
Cesane was signed after Tigres Femenil sold one of their key players Nigerian international Uchenna Kanu who was a prolific goalscorer for the club. She has joined the American club Racing Louisville FC.
Kanu will join up with Banyana striker Thembi Kgatlana recently made her big move to Racing Louisville after recovering from a long-term injury she sustained during the 2022 AWCON tournament in Morocco.
The move to the USA follows her impressive spell with Spanish giants Atletico Madrid.
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Cesane becomes the second South African to arrive in Mexico over the past month. Banyana sensation Jermaine Seoposenwe has settled well in her Mexican home base of Juarez FC after a successful spell at SC Braga in Portugal.
The moves to some of the world's best leagues mean Banyana players will have an opportunity to grow their careers and then bring much-needed expertise to the national team.
This will stand Banyana in good stead when they play the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand later this year.
@Herman_Gibbs