A win will boost the squad’s morale ahead of WAFCON - Lebohang Ramalepe

By Mpumi Manyisi
30th May 2024

Lebogang Ramalepe says positive results in the two international friendly games against Senegal will be a morale booster, as the squad prepares for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The former FC Dinamo Minsk defender is one of the most capped players to join the Banyana camp - with 100 appearances for the national team.

Ramalepe says missing out on the Paris Olympic Games has motivated the squad to want to make things right ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

"I think if we can get positive results out of those two games it will be a moral booster for us because now, we have to focus on preparing on the upcoming WAFCON of which we don't have to be sad that we missed out on a chance to qualify for the Olympics," Ramalepe said.

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Banyana will face Senegal at the Stade Lat Dior on Saturday 1 June, and return to the same venue for their second and last match on Tuesday.

Ramalepe says her role in the two fixtures is to lead the youngsters within the squad and show them how things work at national level.

"To tell the truth, there's no pressure it's just a matter of as experienced players we must be there to guide the young ones that have just been brought into the team. We need to make sure that we prepare them so they can be ready in the coming future because remember we are not gonna be here forever and also for them to see how we do things in the national setup, that's all we can do as experienced players," she added.

The 33-year-old remains one of the most versatile defenders in South African women’s football, having played a key role in helping her domestic club Mamelodi Sundown to return to the summit of the 2024 Hollywoodbets Super League.

Ramalepe says she is happy with her contribution at Sundowns since joining the club last year from the Belarusian side FC Dinamo Minsk.

"To tell the truth, I'm very happy, I think since I joined the team, we've been doing so great and now the focus is to collect points there and there if we get a chance to collect maximum points. It's a marathon for me personally but what I want to achieve is to retain the championship."