The Reigning Queen, Boitumelo Rabale’s Triumphant 2022 Season

THE REIGNING
QUEEN

BOITUMELO
RABALE’S

TRIUMPHANT
2022 SEASON

Boitumelo Rabale celebrates during the 2021 TotalEnergies CAF Women's Champions league final match

Author: Sijabulile Ndlovu

HollywoodBets Super League player of the season Boitumelo Rabale, affectionately known as “Queen” was the gift that kept on giving in the soccer league’s preceding season. The 26-year-old attacking midfielder scored twenty-four league goals and played a pivotal role in Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies retaining their HollywoodBets Super League title for the fourth consecutive time.

Born in Qoaling, the Maseru District of Lesotho, Rabale’s football journey began at the tender age of six. Like most women in football, the midfield maestro played with boys because there were no football clubs for girls in her hometown, which explains where he nick-name came from, “The name “Queen” was given to me by my coach from Lesotho, Seabata Thibiri. He gave it to me because I was the only girl in the team,” expressed Rabale.

A jack of all trades, Boitumelo is also an academic who graduated with an Associate Degree from Lewis Clark College in Illinois, United States. Moreover, she was named the National Junior College Women’s Soccer Player of the Year during her prosperous period in America. The winger played for the now defunct HollywoodBets Super League side, Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies, before joining Banyana Ba Style in 2020.

Mamelodi Sundowns Digital Magazine crew caught up with Queen to talk about her triumphant HollywoodBets Super League 2022 season, as well as getting to know more about her football journey.

Boitumelo Rabale during the 2022 Hollywoodbets Super League match

Congratulations on being honoured with the HollywoodBets League's player of the season award. What was your initial reaction to receiving the accolade?

I was overjoyed. Receiving the award was the best feeling ever. It felt good to be acknowledged for my effort and hard work.

When and how did your journey with professional football begin?

I started playing football when I was six years old. At first, I played the game for fun with a few of my cousins. My professional football journey started when I joined my first football club, Emmanuel FC in Lesotho.

Who was your childhood football hero?

My childhood football hero was Teko Modise. I really admired his style of play.

You were born and raised in Lesotho. How has being away from home and playing in a different country been?

At first, learning to adjust was quite challenging. I had to learn many new things, such as South Africa’s different languages and cultures, in order to settle in. Apart from having to adjust to cultural differences, I also had to deal with being homesick.

How have your fellow teammates and the technical team at Mamelodi Sundowns helped you integrate with the squad?

My teammates, as well as the technical team at Mamelodi Sundowns, helped me settle in and adapt to their style of play by being patient and giving extra guidance. Without them, I wouldn’t have achieved everything that I have over the past year. They have helped me become a champion.

You played for Lewis Clark Community College in the United States. How was that experience?

Playing for Lewis Clark Community College was great because it exposed me to a football culture that is different from the one in Southern Africa. It was a great learning experience.

You have a close relationship with your mom. What role has she played in your football career?

My mom has always been supportive of everything that I do in my career. She always watches my games and encourages me to keep going. Her support keeps me motivated and inspires me to always give my best.

What are your interests outside of sports?

I really enjoy reading and learning new things. I am currently doing a Computer Science course with Upskillist, an education partnership with Mamelodi Sundowns that is open to Masandawana fans.

Football is a competitive sport that requires consistency in performance. How do you stay motivated?

What keeps me motivated to give my best at all times is discipline. I always remind myself of the end goal and avoid distractions.

With the advancement of women’s football, many young girls aspire to play the beautiful game. What advice would you give to them?

My advice to aspiring football players is to keep putting in the hard work and never give up. It is important to keep your head up because football can be challenging sometimes.

For this season’s campaign of the HollywoodBets Super League, Rabale aims to play at her full potential and maintain discipline. Additionally, the attacking midfielder would like to reach more milestones with her fellow teammates at Banyana Ba Style.

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