Lebohang Maboe’s journey into football began long before he ever laced up his boots. Born into a family where the sport was practically a second language, Maboe was surrounded by the game from an early age. His father, a former professional footballer, and his uncle spent countless hours at the training grounds, leaving young Lebohang curious about the allure that kept them so devoted. “I didn’t really understand it at first,” Maboe recalls with a smile, “but I was always there, watching them, trying to figure out what made football so special.”

One day, driven by that curiosity, Maboe grabbed his father’s boots and followed him to the training grounds. It was a bold move, and although he didn’t feel pressured to follow in his father’s footsteps, it was the first step in realizing that football might be his calling. “There was never any pressure from my dad,” Maboe says, reflecting on his early years. “It was always more about fatherly love. He never forced football on me, but he always supported me.”

Support that became crucial when an injury threatened to derail his budding career. His family—particularly his mother—kept him focused and determined to recover. “My mom has always been my rock,” he says fondly. “She made me choose what I needed to do, and her discipline really shaped my work ethic.”

Maboe’s athletic prowess wasn’t confined to the football pitch. As a child, he was a jack-of-all-trades, dabbling in every sport he could find. But his mother, recognizing his natural talent for football, helped him narrow his focus. “I was always running around, trying different things,” he laughs. “But my mom made sure I chose what I was truly passionate about, and that was football.”

That passion led him to Mamelodi Sundowns, the team of his dreams. “I’ve always wanted to be part of a big team, not just in South Africa but on the continent,” he says, his voice brimming with pride. “It makes sense that I ended up here. Sundowns are a dream team, and I always saw myself playing for them.”

But Maboe’s aspirations extend beyond the local league. He dreams of making it abroad, even though he acknowledges the challenges South African players face in catching the eye of international scouts. “We’re not as exposed to scouts from Europe, and that’s why so much of our talent stays here,” he explains. “But I’m determined to change that.”

Known for his skill, pace, and expressive style of play, Maboe embodies the South African football spirit. His versatility on the field, from attacking midfielder to winger, has made him an invaluable asset to Sundowns, culminating in a career-defining hat trick on the final day of the 2019/20 season that secured the team’s tenth PSL title.

Despite his success on the pitch, Maboe remains grounded. He’s known as a humble being—a people’s person who values family above all else. “Family is at the heart of everything for me,” he says. “I always spend as much time with them as I can. My daughter, she means the world to me. She must know that her daddy loves her so much and that she can always count on me, no matter what challenges she faces.”

Off the pitch, Maboe has a keen eye for fashion. A self-confessed shopaholic, he enjoys smelling good and takes his skincare routine seriously. “Looking good is part of feeling good,” he says with a grin. Whether it’s finding the perfect outfit or indulging in a new fragrance, Maboe’s sense of style is as sharp as his game on the field.

As he continues to build his legacy, Maboe’s story is one of passion, dedication, and the belief that with hard work, even the wildest dreams can come true. “This is a calling,” he says confidently. “You know when something is meant for you. For me, it’s football. I want to play in as many cup finals as possible and wrap up the league as early as we can.”

And with his family by his side and a heart full of determination, there’s no doubt that Lebohang Maboe will continue to shine—both on and off the pitch.