Rabale: UWC Must Win It For Mzansi

 By Malose Wa Ga Lamola


CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe and CAF Women's Champions League Footballer of the Year Boitumelo Rabale during award ceremony (Photo Cred: World Sports Ghana)



Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies midfielder Boitumelo Rabale discusses the Women's Cup and the team's chances of defending their domestic league title in an exclusive interview with ShakingInk. Lesotho International predicts that South African women's football will emerge victorious if the University of the Western Cape prevails in the Cosafa Women's Champions League qualifiers, which is  currently underway in Blantyre, Mozambique. The sacred jersey number ten hovering over her back has no effect on her play, according to the reigning CAF Women's Champions League footballer of the tournament.


International tournaments are not foreign to the Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies side. Having conquered the continent twice and finishing second once since the inception of the elite women's tournament on the continent, the Brazilians have proven to be one of the most formidable sides in world football. Banyana Ba Style took part in the Women's Cup tournament held in Kansas City, in the United States of America. Despite Banyana Ba Style losing the two matches they contested, Rabale believes the team learnt a lot from the tournament. The Mehalalitoe skipper reveals that the level at the Women's Cup was a bit higher than that of the CAF Champions League. She says they used the tournament to gauge themselves against the best teams. 


"The Women’s Cup was tougher than the CAF Champions League. The tournament really tested us. And it has helped us gauge ourselves in terms of how far we are in terms of football in Africa. Even though we have conquered Africa, we are still behind. There’s a lot we need to do to improve." Rabale told this publication.



Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies have already qualified for the CAF Women's Champions League by virtue of being queens of the continent. The University of the Western Cape (UWC) can join their domestic rivals at the continental showpiece should they emerge victorious at the COSAFA Women's CAF Champions League qualifier tournament. The university side has set a date with Gaborone United of Botswana in the regional tournament after putting the Young Buffaloes to the sword in the semi-finals on Thursday. The South Africans won the semi-final encounter by six unanswered goals to seal a spot in the finals. Rabale backs UWC to win the COSAFA tournament and join Sundowns in the Champions League. The 28-year-old midfielder says that will boast the image of South African women's football and attract sponsors to the game.


"Having more than one team in the CAF Champions League will augur well for the Hollywoodbets Super League. It will promote the local game. Sponsors will want to be part of women's football. This will certainly put South African women’s football on the map." Rabale continued.



With the Hollywoodbets Super League nearing the tail end of the season, Sundowns Ladies is eyeing a fourth title on the spin. Though 2024 wasn't as easy for the Brazilians as previous seasons were, Rabale remains confident the outcome will be the same. With the University of the Western Cape sitting second, seven points adrift of the log leaders, with a game in hand, are the closest contestants to dethrone Sundowns. The 2023 Hollywoodbets Super League footballer of the year believes the Brazilians have what it takes to defend their title. Rabale insists that the main target of the club is to win. The 1.7-meter-tall midfielder is aware of the task at hand and willing to help her team over the line. 


"Yes, we will defend our title. We are in the driver's seat. Our fate is in our hands. I believe we will manage to get over the line and defend our title." Said Rabale.





Jersey number 10 is spared for a rare breed in football. Queen, as she is affectionately known in football, is one. She swapped the nineteen she used to wear for a sacred ten. Rabale says she always wanted to wear jersey number ten. Though she is aware of the baggage that comes with the number hovering on her back, the Lesotho international is more concerned with the work she does on the pitch than the number on her back. "There’s no pressure in donning jersey number 10. The performance is what matters at the end of the day. Jersey 10 has always been my favourite number." Rabale sealed.



@Lamola_Herold

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