Refilwe Tholakele

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Refilwe Tebogo Tholekele (born 26 January 1996), nicknamed Seven,[2] is a Motswana footballer who plays as a forward for Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies F.C. and the Botswana women's national team.[3][4][5]

Refilwe Tholakele
Tholekele in July 2022
Personal information
Full name Refilwe Tebogo Tholekele
Date of birth (1996-01-26) 26 January 1996 (age 28)[1]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2022 Township Rollers
2022 Malabo Kings
2023– Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies
International career
2016– Botswana 19 (15)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Early life

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Tholakele started playing competitive football in 2007. At the age of 13, she was called up to a Botswana women's national under-17 team training camp where head coach Jacqueline Gaobinelwe nicknamed her "Seven" due to Tholakele's preference for the shirt number and being a Standard Seven student.[2]

Club career

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Township Rollers

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In 2014, Tholakele signed with the women's team of Township Rollers F.C.[2]

Malabo Kings F.C.

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In August 2022, Tholakele signed with Equatoguinean team Malabo Kings F.C. on a one-year deal. She made a premature exit from the club, citing issues with late payments and poor accommodation.[6][7]

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies

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In May 2023, Tholakele signed with SAFA Women's League team Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies F.C.[8] She scored on her debut in a 3–0 win over University of Johannesburg FC.[9] They won the 2023 CAF Women's Champions league with Tholakele making it into the team of the tournament.[10]

International career

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Tholakele is a former captain of the Botswana women's national under-20 football team.[2]

International goals

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No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 19 April 2016 Curepipe, Mauritius   Mauritius 2–0 4–0 2016 Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualification
2. 4–0
3. 17 September 2017 Bulawayo, Zimbabwe   South Africa 1–0 1–1 2017 COSAFA Women's Championship
4. 9 November 2020 Port Elizabeth, South Africa   Zimbabwe 1–0 1–0 2020 COSAFA Women's Championship
5. 12 November 2020 iBhayi, South Africa   Zambia 2–0 2–1
6. 29 September 2021 Port Elizabeth, South Africa   South Sudan 1–0 7–0 2021 COSAFA Women's Championship
7. 4–0
8. 6–0
9. 20 October 2021 Luanda, Angola   Angola 1–0 5–1 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualification
10. 4–1
11. 18 February 2022 Harare, Zimbabwe   Zimbabwe 1–0 3–1
12. 4 July 2022 Rabat, Morocco   Burundi 3–1 4–2 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations
13. 4–1
14. 2 July 2023 Brakpan, South Africa   South Africa 4–0 5–0 Friendly
15. 5–0

Honours

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Club

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "Refilwe Tholekele Stats". FBRef. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d "Dazzling Tholakele makes firm statement". Mmegi. 29 July 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  3. ^ "Botswana touring Slovakia ahead of Banyana clash". Samuel Ahmadu. Goal. 6 August 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  4. ^ "COSAFA Women's Championship: Botswana name provisional squad". Kick442. 16 October 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Female Zebras In Historic COSAFA Final". Portia Mlilo. TheVoicebw. 12 November 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  6. ^ Makhaiza, Larona (24 February 2023). "'Freedom' looms for Seven, Odinga". Mmegi. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  7. ^ Khutsafalo, Boitumelo (7 October 2022). "BFA awaits official report on Tholakele, Mochawe". Mmegi. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  8. ^ Mollo, Tlotlisang (19 May 2023). "Jerry Tshabalala on Sundowns Ladies' new signing". FARPost. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  9. ^ Mfundisi, Mimi (16 May 2023). "Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies regain top spot". SApeople.com. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  10. ^ "CAF Women's Champions League, Cote d'Ivoire Best Xl confirmed". CAF. 22 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
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