National Women’s Soccer League side Houston Dash have extended the contracts of South African duo Linda Motlhalo and Thembi Kgatlana to next season.
The club also confirmed the departure of Banyana Banyana skipper Janine van Wyk, placing her on the re-entry wire after the defender announced the end of her tenure in the US last month.
The club have announced their roster updates following the 2017/18 season, where they showed improved performances under Dutch coach Vera Pauw, but missed out on the play-offs. Pauw also announced she was leaving the club last month.
Motlhalo was a stand-out performer for Dash in her maiden season in the USA, making 21 appearances in the midfield.
She has previously been tipped as a genuine global super star by Pauw, who told KweséESPN of her promise: “Linda is a very skilful player with a great awareness for the game.
“[She has] a great feeling of the moments to go forward. She showed that at the Olympics two years ago when she was already the attacking midfielder of Banyana Banyana.
“She is very talented and I believe she can grow into a top star in the world.”
Kgatlana was used mostly an impact player off the bench, with two starts and 14 substitute appearances, but with her blistering pace proved a good attacking option and netted one goal.