Phillistus Asa Rabalao: It feels like a dream coming true

Phillistus Asa Rabalao had a great hand in Mamelodi Sundowns qualifying to the semifinals. Two clean sheets in as many matches gave her the Best Goalkeeper of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League group stage by the Technical Study Group (TSG) voting.

Mamelodi Sundwons goalkeeper talked to CAFOnline.com about how important this tournament means for her. “It feels great because it is something I've been practicing from our league in South Africa. I had more clean sheets and won COSAFA to qualify for WCL. It really worked for us as a team and I’m so excited to be in the semifinals without conceding any goals”.

Asa Rabalao had a long relationship with football. “I started playing with boys at school in the areas and my parents decided to take me to the city so that I can get exposure and start playing professionally. I’m lucky to have the support of my family and friends. They support me all the way help me with everything I need. Even if it’s when we play faraway, they even travel for me”.

About participating in the Women’s Champions League maiden edition, Asa said: “It feels like a dream coming true. I've wanted to play in the big stages of football and never thought WCL will come true for me and here we are participating and making it to the semifinals”.

Rabalao is not only a footballer. In addition to that, she cares about people’s health and help them with it. “I do Herbalife and I'm a health coach. I do Herbalife as a side hustle to change people's lives health wise and financial wise as I help them to also be in the business and be a distributor like me”.

Rabalao had a small yet important message to deliver: “I want all the girls to believe in themselves, focus more on improving their skills and work hard to be in the higher levels. They always must be discipline, hardworking and have respect. They should also know their goals and hustle for them. Determining what you want in life can make it so much better”.