Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies captain Lebohang Ramalepe will draw on experience of winning at the highest level of African women’s football when the South African champions return to the CAF Women’s Champions League.
Ramalepe has lifted both major continental trophies, winning theinaugural CAF Women’s Champions League with Sundowns and the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with Banyana Banyana. She believes that experience can help the team as they prepare for another campaign on the continent.
“I think it’s a team effort. What I would do with the little experience that I have from winning with Banyana Banyana is share the knowledge I have with my teammates to make sure that when we get to the Champions League, we are prepared and ready.”
Sundowns have established themselves among the leading sides in African women’s club football, with continental success now firmly part of the club’s expectations. Ramalepe says that winning mentality is understood by every player who joins the club.
“Once you join Sundowns, you know it’s a club of winners. It’s that thing that always drives us as ladies to make sure we do our best in our domestic league and also compete internationally. It’s not something new. It has been there when we joined the team. Even now, we must continue so that the coming generation also knows and understands that when you get to Sundowns, you must have a winning mentality.”
Sundowns are the current South African champions and Ramalepe believes the domestic campaign is providing the platform the team needs ahead of the continental competition.
“As a club, we are building so well. I think what’s important also is to take one game at a time. Now the focus is getting match fitness from the league. We’re playing week in, week out, so by the time we get to the Champions League the team will be ready and well equipped so that we can compete at our best level.”
With another CAF Women’s Champions League campaign ahead, Ramalepe is less concerned about individual recognition than adding another trophy to the club’s collection.
“When we go there, we play our good football and also individual brilliance will come after. We just need to put the team first and make sure we do what’s best for the club. The only thing we want to do as a club is to win. I think when we win, then there will be individual accolades, and that will be a good ending for us.”
The defender also sees the growth of the CAF Women’s Champions League as a reflection of the progress being made across African women’s football, while acknowledging that more work remains to be done domestically.
“When it comes to women’s football, there is still a lot of improvement needed. When it comes to the Champions League, I think there has been a lot of improvement, with more teams and also the prize money. When you get to that competition, there’s so much competitiveness.”
Sundowns secured their place in the continental finals after defeating ZESCO Ndola Girls 2-1 in the final of the CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifier in Gaborone, claiming a third regional title.
Details of the CAF Women’s Champions League finals will be announced in due course.
