Katlego Moletsane (Royal AM FC ladies)
By Kopano Dibakwane
Four top South African footballers, from the Hollywoodbets Super League 2022 season, traveled to Spain on Saturday 27 January 2024 to train alongside the best female Spanish players at Villarreal CF.
The South African ladies will undergo a tour to the historic Estadio de la Ceramica, which is said to have 100 years of history. Their experience will also include witnessing a LALIGA EA SPORTS match between Villarreal CF and Cadiz.
This announcement was made through a statement by South Africa’s premier sports betting operator, Hollywoodbets, and European sports giant, LALIGA.
The statement also revealed that the aim of the tour is to propel women’s football to unprecedented heights, creating remarkable opportunities for athletes who are setting new standards in the world of footba
The four ladies who showcased exceptional skill during the 2021/2022 Hollywoodbets Super League season are; Boitumelo Rabale(Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, with an outstanding record of 23 goals in the 2022 season and crowned Player of the Season), Nthabiseng Majiya(Richmond United FC, Young Player of the Season) ,Nompumelelo Nyandeni(TS Galaxy Queens, with 149 international caps) and Katlego Moletsane(Royal AM FC, Goalkeeper of the Season).
Majiya, said the trip is significant as it will help her assess her skill and identify areas for improvement.
“ I feel wonderful and excited about my opportunity to go to Spain as it is my first visit to the country. I expect to gain experience and learn new things,” said Majiya.
The managing Director for LALIGA in Africa, Tresor Penku, said the trip to Spain reflects the skill, dedication and the bright future of women’s football.
“ LALIGA is proud to be part of this initiative, contributing to the global development of the sport and inspiring the next generation of female athletes,” said Penku.
Head of Operations at Hollywoodbets, Morgan Shandu, said that investing in women’s football is a game changer, as Hollywoodbets Super League has shown.
“ Last year we sent the league’s best to Brentford FC, where they got to train with the Premier League’s women’s team. In the past few years, we have seen how teams like Sundowns Ladies have become giants on the African continent through their victories in the CAF Women’s Champions League, and how Banyana Banyana have gone from strength to strength as they become a force to be reckoned with. Hollywoodbets is proud to be part of this journey as South African women’s football goes to the next level,” said Shandu.
According to the statement, Rabale, Majiya, Nyandeni and Moletsane, will be joined by Sakhile Nkomo from Soweto, who won the 2017 LALIGA Future Coaches Talent Search.
Nkomo has gained experience in Madrid and Spain, also secured a spot at the Pitso Mosimane schools’ programme. Nkomo is the coach of his own team of juniors called Orlando Real Sweepers FC.
Nyandeni also expressed excitement to learn more about the Villareal Stadium, but mostly she appreciated the opportunity to travel in order to learn new skills during the training sessions.
