Former Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, University of Pretoria and Tshwane University of Technology defender, Lebogang Mabatle, is living the life in Morocco.
She still harbours hope of returning to the national team where she was capped 19 times – Mabatle was named as one of the standby players for the 2012 London Olympic Games squad.
She is currently on the books of Phoenix Football Feminin Marrakech that campaigns in the Premier Division of Women’s Football in Morocco, alongside known teams like AS FAR Rabat and Sporting Casablanca.
Born in Pankop, Mpumalanga, the 32-year-old decided to leave South Africa to chase her dream of playing abroad.
She says she took a chance in an unusual way and one thing led to another.
“It is quite an interesting on actually. I posted a video on Instagram of one of my best games of the Hollywoodbets Super League while I was still at Amatuks, and I received a DM from a STEPHEN MOTETE who asked me why I was still playing in South Africa when players like me were needed out there. He asked for more of my videos and got me three teams within a period of a month – Georgia, Morocco, and Romania. I could have gone to Georgia, but things took another turn, and I ended up in Morocco – and I am not complaining as this has also helped me get exposure of playing outside my comfort zone, away from home in a different country,” she said from her base in Marrakech.
Wearing jersey number 4, she has just completed the season for Phoenix Football Academy and also featured in the Throne Cup. Since her arrival in North Africa, she has missed one match in the league after being shown the red card for time wasting.
“This was the first league game and the referee thought I was wasting time, but I was only waiting for her to blow the whistle to start play. I guess it was a case of ‘language barrier’ as I did not understand Arabic,” she says.
“The season is not going as well as we wanted – we are currently in position nine on the log table with three games remaining. We started well but lost a lot of players during second round – some left while we also suffered many injuries that left us with a skeleton team, so it’s been a roller-coaster of unstable results.”
She has had some serious challenge to get to where she is now, and had it not been for her determination, strong belief, and a good support structure, Mabatle could have been lost to football.
“2018 was a terrible year for me. I was diagnosed with different illness – from lung infection to bronchitis to TB, which left me very confused. For a year full year and a half I could not play the sport I loved and felt helpless. It was at that time that I returned home to take care of myself and fully recover – but I am must admit it was very a very long time out of the game and a very difficult period in my life,” said Mabatle.
“Fortunately, I had a few people who believed in me and supported me financially and emotionally – like Banyana Banyana Head Coach Desiree Ellis as well as the South African Football Association that played a huge role in taking me to different specialists and paying for my medical bills. Without that help, I don’t know where I would be today. I managed to return to playing and worked my way back to full fitness. As if that was not enough, in 2021 I got a serious knee injury. But with determination and support, I was able to make a full recovery without needing surgery. And I am telling all these things because as a footballer you never think of such, and when they happen they just humble you and teach you to appreciate not just the game but also the support system.”
Mabatle has still not forgotten the events of June last year when the FIFA Women’s World Cup-bound Banyana Banyana brought the country to a standstill when they did not honour a friendly match against neighbours Botswana due to some disagreements with the Football Association.
SAFA then scrambled around to look for a replacement squad to honour the game – and Mabatle found herself in the middle of the furore. She was called up for the match, and even wore the captain’s armband.
“I knew that one day this question would come. What happened that day was unforgettable and came with a cost, of either be broken as a player, losing friends from the national team or taking lots of criticism. But I was in a very difficult position, and I stepped on that pitch knowing the consequences – and not that i wanted to find my way back in the national team,” Mabatle says.
“But the way those young girls looked at me in the changing room – that’s what made me play that game. They wanted to play with all their hearts and me not playing was going to break their hearts to the core. I mean some might not even be called back to the national team, and their careers could end without donning that jersey again. So, who was I to deny them that opportunity – as they all said it wa my call to make. Most of them watch Hollywoodbets Super League and saw leading TUT and they believed in me. I believe we have different perspectives and opinions, but they don’t matter to me, what matters is how I feel about something, and hating me for my decision is a problem becomes I really don’t like to explain myself. Given a chance I would do it again just to give those young girls that honour and pride of playing for their country, despite the circumstances.”
Centrecircle.online caught up with Mabatle from her base in Marrakech in a wide-ranging interview.
Which team are you playing for in Morocco?
Phoenix Football Academy Marrakech
Which jersey number are you using?
Number 4
How easy or difficult was it to settle in your new environment?
It was really difficult, it’s too hot here we talking 39-40° and they using artificial fields, then the language barrier with my teammates ,so had to be the one adjusting to how they play, I couldn’t command at the back but following their lead and it was difficult because I am used to being the one in charge and playing without tackles to avoid burns (yet I already have 4 scars)
What got you going? How do you deal with homesickness – if you have any?
Studying kept me going, I have the whole day for myself, and football is not permanent we are growing. I registered with upskills recognised by CPD (Continuing Professional Development), it’s in partnership with Mamelodi Sundowns football club. I am done with DIPLOMA IN FITNESS TRAINING AND now doing DIPLOMA IN BUILDING RESILIENCE. Therefore, I am not homesick I love it here, people mind their own business and it’s too safe and peaceful.
Are there any other players from South Africa where you are?
No, I am the only south African player here.
How different were things when you got there – (both football and life) compared to where you were?
Everything is very different the Moroccans forgot themselves as Africans, they compete with Europe (football), the association is the one paying players’ salary it’s how invested they are in their football. Regarding the culture they are so disciplined about it, when it’s time to pray they do that, eating together, sharing any small things they have, they love and care about others, just don’t make them angry, you will never see their sweet loving side.
The food and the language must be different, how did you adapt? Can you now speak Arabic?
I still struggle to eat their cultural food (Couscous, tagine, msemen) they mix everything in one pot, no I can’t eat that i tried but i couldn’t. With regard to language ARABIC is difficult because you can’t even read it, but let’s just say I can now hear them just struggling to speak it.
With the league over, what does the future hold for Lebo? Are you staying in Morocco?
I am currently not sure, since I signed a 1-year contract, so will hear from my agent. I wouldn’t mind coming back, I have a family here.
In terms of remuneration are you satisfied and how much of a role does it play getting paid while playing?
Let’s just say it’s way better than what I was getting in South Africa, and I am able to fulfill my needs and wants and still be able to save.
It plays a huge role because I am a grown up now, have my dreams to achieve and they need me to be financially stable. It’s really a privilege to have made it in this era of getting paid for doing what you love, most were cut short by injuries and other outcomes.
Let’s talk Banyana Banyana – you played and captained the team in that much-talked about fiasco against Botswana before the World Cup – what was it like? What was going on in your mind?
Since then, you have never been called – how did you feel?
Being called or not in the national team really makes no difference on me, because I am a believer and i look at things in a bigger picture no one can see. I served my time and now it’s others time, and I also understand that not everyone can be in the national team, only God can change or turn tables, my performance means nothings when he closed that door for me.
Do you still harbor hopes of returning to the national team?
Let’s just say every player want to represent his/her country as long as age is still good. I get a call up will honour it, I don’t life goes on.
Having missed out on the Olympic Games, how much of a disappointment was it for you as a South African?
It’s sad for everyone, but what can we do, yes, the team is doing really good, and we could have loved to see it representing us well again. I guess we will try again next coming years.
You have been following the Hollywoodbets Super League – what’s your impression so far, especially this season?
Yes, I do follow Hollywoodbets, I mean who doesn’t, so much is interesting, good football is displayed lots of young stars taking over (future looks bright) and now it’s challenging no walk in the park games, everyone is working for the points, it’s good like that.
Any chance you will return to play in the domestic league?
Well, I don’t know what future holds for me, but let’s just say I really have other plans, it happens that I don’t renew my contract or go somewhere, it’s time to have a stable job, age is no longer on our side anymore.
Who is your role model?
Sergio Ramos is my role model.
Your message to other players who aspire to play outside the country?
I will say dreams are achievable only if you make lots of sacrifices, being extra ordinary, and playing like there is no tomorrow as you will never know who is watching.
By Matlhomola Morake
