Asa Rabalao: UK tour a valuable experience for Sundowns Academy

The trip came as a reward for the Sundowns Academy after winning the 2025 VW Championship. 

Speaking to SABC Sport, Rabalao highlighted the importance of exposing players to high-performance football against top international opposition.

“The UK tour was an incredibly valuable and eye-opening experience for both myself and the players. It combined high-level football exposure with personal growth, making it a well-rounded and memorable journey,” said Rabalao.

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She added that competing in a different football environment challenged the players to adapt to higher intensity and greater tactical demands.

“Facing international opposition pushed them out of their comfort zones and raised their standards. It also showed how far we’ve come in South African football, as we were able to showcase our quality,” added Rabalao.

Sundowns played two matches during the tour, losing 3-1 to Leeds United and drawing 0-0 with Derby County. 

Rabalao believes both fixtures offered key insights into the team’s current level and areas for improvement.

“Both games gave us valuable insight into where we are and where we need to improve. There were many positives - the players showed great commitment, resilience, and good combination play, especially in transition,” she added.

“Overall, these matches were a great learning curve and will contribute significantly to the players’ development going forward."