Boitumelo Rabale proved to be the hero for Sundowns Ladies in the ninth round of the Hollywoodbets Super League season, played on Saturday at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium. The left-footed attacker came off the bench to score twice, helping Banyana Ba Style secure a commanding 3-1 victory over City Lads Ladies.
Lelona Daweti also scored in the game, as the defending champions returned to winning ways following a surprising loss to Royal AM in their previous match.
The game in Windy City began at a fast pace, with Lelona Daweti and Melinda Kgadiete coming close to scoring in the opening period. The early pressure paid off when Daweti scored from close range in the 21st minute, giving the reigning champions a well-deserved lead.
The Brazilians continued to push for a second goal, displaying a dominant show of attacking football but were unable to extend their lead before the first-half whistle.
In the second half, Andile Dlamini, the Sundowns Ladies goalie, was called into action and proved to be equal to the task. Despite her valiant efforts, she was unable to prevent the hosts from scoring the equalizer in the 55th minute after a flurry of chances.
Boitumelo Rabale was summoned to replace Melinda Kgadiete in the 57th minute, and just two minutes after entering the pitch, the Lesotho forward scored a goal, helping Sundowns Ladies regain their lead.
Rabale netted her second with just three minutes left on the clock as Banyana Ba Style held on to secure a 3-1 victory. The brace hero expressed her delight after coming off the bench to seal the deal for her team.
“I am thrilled to have played a role in helping my team secure the win after a tough defeat in the previous game. Our goal was to get back to winning ways, and we were able to achieve that as a collective effort. It was a dominant performance, and we look forward to building on this momentum,” Rabale stated.
Daweti, who scored the opening goal of the day and her fourth of the campaign, was pleased with the outcome of the match.
“It was a highly competitive fixture, with City Lads Ladies putting up a strong fight against us. We are pleased with our showing, particularly in our ability to convert our chances. Our composure during the game was commendable, and we were able to finish off our chances effectively. As Sundowns Ladies, we are known for our ability to score goals, and we are happy with the way we executed our game plan. We will continue to work hard and maintain our winning form, always striving to improve and make our fans proud,” said Lelona.
Lerato Kgasago, who showcased a masterful performance and was unlucky not to score a goal, discussed the significance of the win for the team.
“I applaud my teammates for their hard work, especially under the pressure of our opponents. We fought tirelessly for these points, and I am delighted that we were able to get back to winning ways. Our victory today is a testament to our resilience and determination to succeed as a team. Our victory today is just the beginning, and we are excited for what the future holds,” Kgasago stated.
Sundowns Ladies’ win, coupled with UWC’s defeat at home to TS Galaxy Queens, has enabled the defending champions to reclaim the top spot on the table with 22 points, one point ahead of UWC.
In terms of goal-scoring for Sundowns Ladies, Rabale’s brace brings her season total to six goals, while Daweti has scored four. Both Andisiwe Mgcoyi and Melinda Kgadiete have bagged two goals each.
Up next for Sundowns Ladies is a clash against JVW FC.
