Banyana Banyana striker Thembi Kgatlana joins American side Houston Dash

South Africa international Thembi Kgatlana has joined United States of America (U.S.A) side Houston Dash.

The talented forward, who has been playing for University of Western Cape Ladies Football Club, impressed at the 2017 Cosafa Women's Championship in Zimbabwe.

Kgatlana was named Player of the Tournament after inspiring Banyana Banyana to their fourth Cosafa Women's Championship title.

Dash, who are campaigning in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), have since announced that they have beefed up their squad with signing of the 21-year-old attacker.

Janine van Wyk and Linda Motlhalo are the other South Africa internationals at Dash, who are under the guidance of former Banyana head coach Vera Pauw.

The Dutch tactician served as South Africa head coach between 2014 and 2016.

Dash released the following statement on Saturday night:

"Kgatlana joins Houston after spending last year with the University of Western Cape in South Africa."

"The forward represented South Africa in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio De Janeiro, where she was coached by current Dash head coach, Vera Pauw."

"The forward won the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations Women's Championship with South Africa last year and earned Player of the Tournament honors," a club statement read.

Kgatlana was nominated for the 2017 Caf Women's Player of the Year accolade and she was up against some of Africa's best female footballers, Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria and Cameroonian Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene.

Super Falcons striker Oshoala, who plies his trade in the Chinese Women's Super League for Dalian Quanjian FC, scooped the award.