‘Queen’ dreams big

MASERU – Lesotho women’s national team captain Boitumelo ‘Queen’ Rabale has her eyes on adding a second star with Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies to her already impressive trophy cabinet.

Rabale tasted continental glory last season when Sundowns were crowned champions of the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League after defeating Hasaacas Ladies of Ghana in the final.

Rabale has been in fine form during the second edition of the tournament which is being played in Morocco and winning the competition again would give Sundowns Ladies another coveted star which symbolises being crowned African champions next to their name.

The 26-year-old bagged the player of the match award after netting a brace in last Thursday’s 5-0 thumping of Wadi Degla FC of Egypt.

In their other games, Sundowns got their defence off with a 2-1 victory over Bayelsa Queens of Nigeria last Monday and crushed DR Congo’s TP Mazembe 4-0 on Sunday.

“(Our) chances of winning are very high because we had very good preparations for the tournament and we will work very hard to defend the title,” Rabale said.

“I want to make history with the club and win it again. The focus at the moment is on the team and the rest will follow,” she added.

The attacking midfielder has been lethal in front of goal this season in South Africa’s Hollywoodbets Super League having scored 21 goals for a ruthless Sundowns side which occupies top spot with 73 points from 27 games.

Rabale, however, said her main focus is on the team’s success, not personal awards.

“I may be second in the race for the golden boot, but like I said, my focus is to help the team defend its Hollywoodbets Super League title as well as the CAF Champions League.

“The individual accolades will be a bonus once we have defended those titles,” Rabale said.

“To be honest, it’s a surprise for me that I’m in the running for the golden boot because I’m not a striker as I play as a midfielder, but I will work on getting more goals to hopefully win it.”

Rabale has become a key player for the South African champions since joining the club in April 2021.

“Overall, I’m very happy with my contribution this season, playing regularly and scoring goals to help the team do well in different competitions. It’s been a very good season thus far,” she said.

Rabale’s impressive form this season also saw her included in the team of the tournament at the 2022 Cosafa Women’s Championship in August after she scored a hattrick in Lesotho’s 3-0 over

Eswatini during the showpiece held in Port Elizabeth.

Sport Reporter