Mehalalitoe captain loving life at Sundowns
Lesotho Women’s national team captain Boitumelo ‘Queen’ Rabale is enjoying her football with Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies having played a vital role in their recent success at the CAF Women’s Champions League/COSAFA qualifiers.
Sundowns were crowned inaugural winners of the CAF Women’s Champions League/COSAFA qualifiers after a 3-0 thumping of Black Rhinos Queen of Zimbabwe in the final a fortnight ago.
The 25-year-old attacking midfielder was impressive being used as an impact player having come from the bench in all the five matches that Sundowns played at the regional qualifiers. She registered two goals, which came against LDF Ladies in the group stage and a scorcher in the final against Rhinos Queens.
The victory over Rhinos in the final not only gave Sundowns the bragging rights in the region and a trophy, but they also secured a spot to play at the CAF Women’s Champions League to be staged in Egypt later this year.
“It feels good to be part of the Sundowns team that were crowned regional champions during the recent COSAFA qualifiers for the CAF Women’s Champions League. It was a goal I set for myself after joining the club,” Rabale stated.
“I’m happy that my career with the club is on the right track and we have qualified for the CAF Women’s Champions League.”
Rabale joined Sundowns in April after a year in the United States of America, where she played for Lewis and Clark Community College. The talented midfielder is not new to playing football in South Africa as she twice won the then South African Women’s National League Championship as the captain of Bloemfotein Celtic Ladies team.
“Yes, being at Sundowns is different to Celtics. It is very different because I get to play in competitions like the CAF Women’s Champions League, where I will be playing among the giants of the continent,” the Sundowns midfielder said.
“it hasn’t been an easy journey since joining the club, but I’m pushing hard because it’s a big club, with a big squad and the competition to be in the starting line-up is immense.
“I’m happy with the contribution I have made thus far and that the commentators were saying the goal I scored in the final against Black Rhinos was the best of the tournament. It’s a motivation for me to keep working hard and proving my worth at the club,” she said.
Sundowns were ruthless through the COSAFA tournament winning all their five matches in the competition and scoring 22 goals.
