Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies have moved to further strengthen their rear-line after signing experienced defender Lebohang Ramalepe for an undisclosed duration.
She is expected to be unveiled this afternoon (Saturday, March 2023) when Banyana ba Style take on neighbours and new kids on the block, University of Pretoria in the Tshwane Derby at 15h00.
The Hollywoodbets Super League clash will be played at the Groenkloof Stadium in Pretoria.
Born in Ga-Maupa in Limpopo, Ramalepe joins the Brazilians after cutting ties with FC Dinamo Minsk of Belarus in December last year.
The 2022 CAF African Women’s Cup of Nations winner with the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana has been training with the three-time league champions for two weeks after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament [ACL] injury, which she sustained towards the end of the 2022 season at her previous club.
Among others, Ramalepe joins experienced defenders in captain Zanele Nhlapho, vice-captain Karabo Makhurubetshi, Bambanani Mbane, Karabo Dhlamini and Tiisetso Makhubela.
The 31-year old spent three seasons in Belarus, winning almost everything on offer.
She lifted three league titles and won gold in four cup competitions during her time in Eastern Europe.
Prior to her departure to FC Dinamo Minsk in 2020, she ran out for Kanatla Ladies of Limpopo, before moving to neighbours Ma-Indies Ladies, whom she led to promotion to the Hollywoodbets Super League in 2019 as captain.
She walked away with the Player of the Tournament award.
Jumaima, as she is known to her peers, was instrumental in helping the South African Senior Women’s National Team win their maiden continental trophy in Morocco last year.
But she has recently been left out of the last two national team training camps – against Australia in London (October 2022) and in the Turkish Women’s Cup (February 2023).
She returns to the South African women’s football scene that has undergone a lot of changes, including two promoted teams – Copperbelt Ladies and Tuks Ladies – as well as a newly-brought franchise, TS Galaxy Queens.
Over and above, Limpopo now has three teams in the Hollywoodbets Super League – Ma-Indies Ladies, First Touch FC and Copperbelt Ladies.
Both Golden Ladies (North West) and Tsunami Queens (Free State) were relegated at the end of the 2022 campaign.
Ramalepe comes into the Brazilians fold as the defending champions are top of the table on 13 points, just one above both the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and University of Johannesburg (UJ Ladies) who are second and third respectively.
Five rounds of matches have already been played, but the Capetonians have a game in hand.
LEBOHANG RAMALEPE HONOURS:
- 2013 Sasol League Championship Runners-up (Ma-Indies)
- 2014 WAFCON 4th place
- 2016 Rio Olympics
- 2017 COSAFA Cup Champions
- 2018 Cyprus Cup 6th place
- 2018 COSAFA Cup Champions
- 2018 WAFCON 2nd Place
- 2018 WAFCON named in CAF best XI
- 2019 Captained Ma-Indies to promotion into the Hollywoodbets Super League
- 2022 WAFCON Champion
By Matlhomola Morake
