Rhoda Mulaudzi – Q&A

“It was not a one man show, remember that football is not an individual sport, it’s a team sport.”

Next up in our Q&A series we sit down with Rhoda Mulaudzi. The Striker coming off a championship winning season, remains humble in her approach and promises more to come.

You are coming off the back of a record setting season, in which you were named top goal-scorer, how does that feel?

It was not a one man show, remember that football is not an individual sport, it’s a team sport. So, when one scores, we don’t say “yes, she is the one who made the team win the league”. We start with goalkeepers, because the ball was distributed from goalkeepers to defenders, defenders to midfielders and then strikers, and then to the goal scorer. So, it was teamwork, that’s what helps us win the league.

And not only us, but also the support that we got from the office, top management, the sponsors – Puma, Botho Butho, Motsepe Foundation, Hyundai, everyone played a part, and also not forgetting the support from the president and his family, the love that they showed us.

And not forgetting the Sundowns media guys, they made it possible for us by making sure that they market our games, so that we can have enough support. You know when you have enough support, it encourages you.

I would also like to thank the Mamelodi Sundowns supporters. You guys did a great job, we did it for you. You time, your money that you spent coming to the games to support us, your cheer and sing for us, it gave us courage.

We managed to pull through because of you, and we knew that we are not just doing it for ourselves, but we are also doing it for you. We are also doing it for the team, Mamelodi Sundowns as a whole, not only for us.

That’s where we got it right. Not forgetting our hard work, the commitment, the good attitude towards each other as players, communication, loving one another, caring for one another. Today we are call the South African National Champions, and I still believe that we still have more to showcase, that we as Mamelodi Sundowns we are one of the best teams on the continent – the skills, the experience have played a part.

Our coach is very smart and intelligent – thank you coach, and not forgetting our manager and captain who also played a part. I would love to thank everyone who supported us, our family members and also God. Together as team, forward we go – the sky is the limit!

You have played in both, Greece and Australia, any fond memories playing abroad?

The question itself brings back good memories, the excitement. The amazing time that I had in Australia. Our 2018 / 2019 was one of the greatest seasons in my football career. Finding myself signing a professional contract for the first time in my football career. It was amazing, it was great. I signed with Canberra United playing the W League, one of the biggest leagues in the world. Being coached by coach Heather Garrick, a smart and intelligent coach who understand the philosophy of football. I enjoyed my time that side. The Australian people are very supportive, loving and caring. Whenever we were playing our home games, the stadium is always packed. The supporting system is very good.

The Australian people love women’s football. They came in numbers to support us and cheer and scream for us – it was good. Hearing the voice of supporters always gives you the energy and courage. I still remember very well, I was awarded the Supporters Player of the Season. I became Canberra United top goal scorer – it was amazing.

When I arrived there, I didn’t know what to expect, it was something new to me, playing in a professional league. I had to adjust, because everything there is not the same as playing in an amateur league. You have to think fast, you have to be physically and mentally strong and being organized, act professionally, think professionally and it was not easy – it was tough.

It was great, it was good. It happened that I only signed for a year, and then from there I went to Cyprus, where I played in the UEFA League. The experience was good, I enjoyed it, even though I didn’t finish the season because of some personal reasons, but I enjoyed my stay overseas. I learned a lot, the experience that I got that side, both in Australia and Cyprus, helped me a lot.

They helped me figure out who I am and find myself. It brought my confidence back, as you can see now, in the 2019 / 2020 National Woman’s League, I became the top goal scorer, with 36 goals, so I learned a lot. The experience that I got that side, I am using now, and I know that it is going to work for me, until I decide to retire.

For the full interview head over to our YouTube Channel or watch the full interview below: