Mikia Kalati
Lesotho’s top female footballer, Boitumelo ‘Queen’ Rabale, is set to join Bloemfontein Celtic’s ladies side in January next year.
Rabale has already played friendlies for the Free State Province SASOL League giants but can only be registered for competitive matches when the transfer window opens in January.
The 18-year-old, who is now studying at Motheo FET College in Bloemfontein, plays for Likhosatsana Football Club here in Lesotho and scored 20 goals in eight matches this season.
Likhosatsana Football Club owner, Ketsebile Phatšoane, said she was very happy for the Qoaling-born Rabale, who has also captained the national team, Mehalalitoe, despite her young age.
“She had left the country to study in Bloemfontein, but because she is very talented, Celtic officials were impressed when they saw her in action. That’s how this move came,” Phatšoane said.
“This is a proud moment for us as a club and the girl. She proved her talent here at home where she was the top scorer with 20 goals in eight matches. Such a phenomenal scoring record can only mean she is a special talent.”
Former Lesotho Women’s Football Association president, Maleshoane Mokhathi, says Rabale deserves a big move to South Africa as she is very talented.
“She has made us very proud and I believe there is more to come from her because she is very talented,” Mokhathi said.
“I think this is an indication that women’s football has the potential to go places because we are blessed with good quality.
“The good thing is that she is still young and I have no doubt Celtic have scored big with this girl.”
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Mokhathi further told the Lesotho Times that women’s football needs more support and the players encouragement to do better.
“She won’t be the only woman from our country playing in South Africa as we have other ladies playing for AmaZulu. This shows there is great potential among the female footballers, but without support, this talent will be wasted,” said Mokhathi.
