Rabale speaks of extraordinary first year at Sundowns
Mehalalitoe captain Boitumelo ‘Queen’ Rabale inked her name in the history books of football in the country after clinching the CAF Women’s Champions League with Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies to become the first Lesotho player to put hands on the continental trophy.
Not only did Rabale become a continental champion with Sundowns, but she won a treble on her first year with the Tshwane club having also lifted the Hollywoodbets Super League and the Inaugural Total Energies CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifiers in the recently ended season.
The 25-year-old stated that she is not surprised with the success that the Tshwane based outfit enjoyed this season as they invested hugely on their squad.
“With the team that we have, it’s not a surprise that we won all the trophies that we have. I expected it based on the quality that we have in our team,” Rabale stated.
“If there were more trophies to play for, I have no doubt that we would add more to our trophy cabinet. This team thrives on success and we go for the kill in every competition we play.”
The Mehalalitoe skipper says joining Sundowns and enjoying so much success in her first season will go down as a very special year in her career.
“I’m very excited with all the success in my first year at the club. It all looks like a dream. It’s been an unbelievable year for me and the club especially with the CAF Champions league,” the talented attacking midfielder said.
“Playing for Sundowns has changed my life in so many ways. I have gathered a lot of experience as an individual playing in the Hollywoodbets League, the COSAFA qualifiers and the CAF Champions League. It was indeed a memorable year for me and the team.
“To be honest with you, it hasn’t been an easy journey since I joined the club, but I have been pushing myself a lot because it’s a big club, with a big squad and the competition to be in the starting line-up is immense between the players,” she said.
Rabale has also played for Bloemfontein Celtic in South Africa having helped them win the Sasol League National Championship as the captain in 2016 and 2017 respectively.
Before making the big move to Sundowns, Rabale enjoyed a successful two-year spell on an academic and football scholarship playing for Lewis and Clark Community College, where she in 2020 scooped the Junior College All-American and National Women’s Player of the Year award.