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There is a secret weapon behind Tigres Femenil’s unstoppable run
While everyone debates the goals from Hermoso or Ordóñez, there’s a quiet engine driving Tigres Femenil’s dominance: Thembi Kgatlana. The South African forward has brought more than flair, she’s brought disruption, energy, and pure unpredictability. Standing at 5’1″ (1.55 m) and playing with explosive acceleration, Kgatlana joined Tigres in Clausura 2024 after a high-profile transfer from Racing Louisville, one of the most expensive outgoing deals in NWSL history.
In the Apertura 2025, she’s logged 385 minutes, scored 4 goals, and taken 12 shots (half of them on target) according to official Tigres stats. But what makes her special isn’t what shows up on the scoreboard, it’s the chaos she creates before the goal happens.
The chaos creator
When Tigres slow down, Kgatlana hits the accelerator. Her first touch and quick turns destroy defensive lines, and her confidence to take on players one-on-one forces teams to collapse. She doesn’t wait for space, she makes it.
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Her chemistry with Diana Ordóñez has become one of the most dangerous attacking duos in Liga MX Femenil. One stretches the field, the other finishes. Add Jenni Hermoso’s vision behind them, and you’ve got a frontline that feels unstoppable. No wonder Tigres lead the league in goals and are closing in on another offensive record, a reflection of how this system runs on collective energy, not just star power.
The hidden engine behind dominance
Pedro Losa calls it balance, fans call it dominance. But behind that balance is Kgatlana’s fearlessness, a mix of speed, intelligence, and pure competitive fire. She changes the rhythm of games without needing to score, turning small moments into turning points.
Look beyond the highlight reels and you’ll find her fingerprints all over Tigres’ attack, in the movement, in the tempo, in the space she creates for others. That’s what makes her the real secret weapon.
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