Why Banyana star snubbed overseas teams to join Sundowns

Banyana Banyana star, Lebohang Ramalepe, revealed why she snubbed overseas teams and opted to join Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies.

Lebohang Ramalepe was announced by Sundowns this past weekend on Saturday, 18 March, after training with the side for a while.

This was after the 31-year-old parted ways with FC Dinamo Minsk, of Belarus in December last year.

Ramalepe’s exit from the club was reportedly fuelled by an ACL injury she sustained, as reported by FARPost back in December.

Since then, the Banyana forward revealed to this publication that she got several overseas offers. But the moves never materialised due to her injury.

However, things were different when she came to Sundowns, as they were willing to help her through her injury. It is said that she penned a short-term deal.

WHY RAMALEPE CHOSE SUNDOWNS OVER OVERSEAS OFFERS

“Offers [overseas] were there, but because of the injury, I couldn’t go. So I decided to focus on myself first and get myself ready [for the World Cup].

“Then I went to Sundowns, I explained my situation to them. And they were like, ‘it’s fine, we will take you like that and we will work with until you are 100% okay’,” said Ramalepe.

The Banyana defender also explained that the other thing that tipped the scale towards her joining Sundowns was the club’s professionalism.

“Sundowns is very professional, and they have been doing great in the African continent, so why not them,” concluded the Banyana star.

The 31-year also revealed that she has received warm welcome at the club since her arrival.

She is looking forward to regain her form so that she can help the team this season and going forward.

With the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup also in sight, Ramalepe believes she will undoubtedly come into the reckoning for Banyana’s selection.

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