Tiisetso ‘Bastos’ Makhubela re-joins Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies

Treble-winning Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies have continued to bolster their squad ahead of the new season which is just around the corner. The latest addition sees Tiisetso ‘Bastos’ Makhubela make a stunning return to Chookloop from Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Ladies. 

The central defender first joined Banyana Ba Style in 2018, before moving to TUT Ladies a year later where she finished as South African Women’s National League runner-up to eventual champions Mamelodi Sundowns. Last season, Bastos remarkably scored 7 goals in the Hollywoodbets Super League, an impressive return for a centre-back.

Makhubela’s return to the club will see her complement a much-disciplined backline spearheaded by the likes of Zanele Nhlapho, Bambanani Mbane and Karabo Makhurubetshi. These well-oiled defensive options have left Coach Jerry Tshabalala brimming with confidence.

“We are so happy that we have been able to bring back Tiisetso Makhubela into the team. I remember when we first spotted her talent a few years ago, we took her in and improved certain areas of her game for a year or so before she received a call up to the South Africa women’s national soccer team (Banyana Banyana). Bringing her back is a good move for us as we are looking to tap into her wealth of experience. We are very excited about her arrival back at the club because we know what she is capable of.”

Bastos first made her debut for Banyana Banyana on the 11th of November 2018 against Ghana and also featured at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France. The centre-back was also part of the South African women’s team which won the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Cup in 2019. Most notably, Makhubela scored the opening goal as South Africa crushed Comoros 17-0 in record fashion and she later scored the only goal in the final against Zambia which handed Banyana Banyana the title.

In total, she is a two-time COSAFA Cup winner with the South African women’s team and she was also part of the side that finished as runners-up to Nigeria at the 2018 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations which was hosted by Ghana.

Bastos thus becomes the second player to join forces with Masandawana in the off-season after Gabonnelwe Salome Kekana joined the Brazilians also from TUT Ladies. 

Welcome back home Bastos!!!