The ‘Mother of all Battles’ will ensue on Tuesday, 9 April at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria when the number one ranked national team on the continent, Nigeria, takes on the second-ranked side, South Africa, in a winner-takes-all 2024 Paris Olympic qualifier.
Kickoff is at 19h30.
The two have countries already met in the first leg in Abuja (Friday, 5 April) with the visitors carrying a 1-nil advantage.
Only one of them will book their ticket to Paris – Nigeria last played at the Games in 2008 while South Africa failed to qualify for Tokyo 2020 after back-to-back success in 2012 and 2016.
On the background of this much-anticipated fixture, defender Lebohang Ramalepe, who runs out in the colours of Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies in the Hollywoodbets Super League as well as the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana, will be reaching a great milestone of 100 caps for country when she runs on in the encounter.
Interestingly, the Limpopo-born player celebrated her half century of appearances against the same Nigeria back in 2018 – her first ever match against the Super Falcons.
This was in South Africa’s 1-0 win over the West Africans in CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations played on Sunday, 18 November at the Cape Coast Stadium in Ghana.
While all around her were celebrating the victory, she was in awe of her personal achievement.
“The Lord works in mysterious ways. Reaching 50 caps is not an easy thing, and I would like to thank all the coaches who helped me along the way to get to this milestone because if they did not believe in my ability, I would not be here. Gratitude also goes to my teammates who encourage me every day, so yes when we played Nigeria I was quietly celebrating. I am so happy, I really never thought I would reach this big milestone. I was over the moon. I don’t want to lie – in fact I am speechless,” she told SAFA Media in 2018.
“I am honoured to be mentioned in the same space as the Banyana Banyana greats. I am really humbled, but I feel there is still a long way to go to get to that magical hundred. As a player I know what I have to do to reach it – stay disciplined, be coachable, make sure the nation is always proud of the hard work I put in in every game, no matter the results – just always strive to do my best, and the rest will follow.”
Ramalepe made her national team debut in Zimbabwe in 2004.
She has already been to two FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments – 2019 (France) and 2023 (Australia and New Zealand), and was part of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, before helping Banyana Banyana to clinch their maiden continental title – the 2022 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The defender has also won leagues both in Belarus and in South Africa in the Hollywoodbets Super League with Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies.
Prior to playing in Belarus, Ramalepe was on the books of Ma-Indies Ladies, whom she captained to promotion into the South African elite women’s football league in 2019 – the Limpopo outfit was relegated last season.
She now joins the growing list of decorated Banyana Banyana centurions, becoming the 11th player to do so – this coming hot on the heels of Jermaine Seoposenwe who celebrated her 100 caps in February against Tanzania.
LIST OF BANYANA BANYANA CENTURIONS:
| NAME OF PLAYER | CAPS | GOALS |
| JANINE VAN WYK (retired) | 185 | 12 |
| NOKO MATLOU | 173 | 66 |
| NOMPUMELELO NYANDENI | 149 | 39 |
| NOTHANDO VILAKAZI | 137 | 7 |
| REFILOE JANE | 135 | 16 |
| PORTIA MODISE (retired) | 124 | 101 |
| MAMELLO MAKHABANE | 121 | 22 |
| AMANDA DLAMINI (retired) | 105 | 24 |
| LEANDRA SMEDA | 100 | 22 |
| JERMAINE SEOPOSENWE | 101 | 21 |
| LEBOHANG RAMALEPE | 99 | 4 |
CentreCircle.online caught with Ramalepe ahead of the big achievement:
Congratulations in advance for the upcoming milestone of 100 caps. How are you feeling?
I’m really happy, I know at some point I never thought I would ever get to reach this milestone but I’m ready to be amongst the best players who have reached 100 caps. It has never been an easy road to get to where I am but I’m thankful to my teammates for always pushing me to do well and also the coaches that I have worked with. They were really helpful to me to be where I am today.
You made your debut 10 years ago (vs Zimbabwe 2004), and 10 years later you are celebrating 100 caps, looks like it is written in the stars
Coming to think about it, yes, IT IS WRITTEN IN THE STARS. But to be honest, it’s been a long 10 years waiting and we are here now. Can’t be more excited.
You got your 50 caps against Nigeria in 2018 in the WAFCON in Ghana – a match South Africa won, and here you are going for 100 vs Nigeria again… good omen?
I think so, maybe if we bring the same spirit of the game we played that time (2018) we will all be smiling, and I will also then celebrate the 100th cap with the correct mood.
Which is your memorable game of the 100?
There are many games I can mention (like in the World Cup), but the one that stands out has to be the final against Morocco when we won the WAFCON – I will never ever forget that match.
Joining an elite list of footballers – Janine van Wyk, Noko Matlou, Mpumi Nyandeni, Nothando Vilakazi, Refiloe Jane, Portia Modise, Mamello Makhabane, Amanda Dlamini, Leandra Smeda and Jermaine Seoposenwe – that must make you proud, becoming the 11th Banyana Banyana Centurion
Yes, definitely, I’m proud of the work I have put in in the team over the years, and also playing amongst those good footballers really shaped me well because I have learned a lot from them – patience, consistency and to always be humble and love what I do.
Did you at any point think you will reach this achievement?
I never thought the day would come, and I guess I never really focused on that – I just served when I was given an opportunity. And to be honest, there have been up and downs in my performance in some instances, but I kept on pushing and working hard to make sure that I get my groove back – and here we are.
What is the secret to your staying power?
What keeps me going is my family, they really supported me from Day 1, and I think whenever things don’t go well for me, I get to think that I have to do this for them.
You have won league titles in Belarus and South Africa, also won WAFCON, CAF Women’ Champions League and COSAFA, played in the World Cup and Olympics – what is left for Lebo to achieve?
I don’t think there is anything left but now what is key is to help the team qualify for the Olympics again. That will be the only thing I can do for the team.
How important will it be to qualify for the Olympic Games?
It will mean a lot to the team, for all of us because we know how big the Olympic Game are. We still haven’t forgotten how we missed out on Tokyo 2020, so this is a chance for us try again, and I believe we are ready.
By Matlhomola Morake
