‘Tybo’ bangs in 30 goals and still counting

Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday March 25, 2023 06:00

Magaga found the net just minutes into GU’s return to the Gaborone City Region Football Association (GCRFA) Division One League in February.

The striker also announced her return to the league as the Reds spent the 2021-2022 season in Division Two. The sight of the speedy striker in the lower league terrorised the goal minders.

She finished the campaign as the leading goal scorer with 23 goals in just 10 games. Magaga broke all sorts of records as on four occasions, she bagged a hat trick. As the Reds Ladies easily secured a spot in the top-flight league, Magaga marked her arrival as an elite player in the women’s game.

Magaga cannot stop hammering the net and she has scored seven in as many games in the first round of the GCRFA Division One.

It is a slightly lower return compared to last season but Tybo is acclaimed as one of the most fierce strikers in the league. Last weekend, Magaga was again in a mean mood as she scored four goals in a 5-0 win over UB Kicks. She credits her goal-scoring proficiency to hard work.

“It all started last season in Division Two.

My desire to play in Division One made me work so hard that we got the promotion to Division One which is why I was banging goals. So this season, I made sure I continue where I left off, to work hard, be a team player, and score. I believe in both team work and individual brilliance. When given a chance to score for the team, I do not hesitate. I deliver,” she said.

The 25-year-old started playing football in primary school sports competitions at Senete in 2010. She says she grew up watching football and developed a love for the game and in a jiffy football was her sport. She continued her development at Francistown United between 2013 and 2018. She then joined Township Rollers’ women’s team for the 2019-2020 season before she moved across town to the Reds Ladies team in 2021. Despite showing signs of being a good forward, Magaga was overlooked for the 2022 WAFCON Mares’ squad.

She says she is ready and determined to make her Mares’ debut having been capped at both the Under-17 and Under-20 levels. Magaga was given her maiden call-up for the 2022 Independence Cup tie against Namibia.

“I have been learning a lot from the girls who already gained experience from the Mares. So I see myself playing for the Mares in the near future since I am now familiar with their style of play. Like any other sportsperson, I want to grow as a player. I want to see myself playing at higher levels and being called for the national team,” Magaga said.

FACT FILE

Full Names: Kelebogile Magaga

Date of Birth: 08/04/1997

Place of Birth: Tutume

Home Village: Senete

Nationality: Motswana

Nickname: Tybo

Position: Forward

Team: Gaborone United Ladies Team

Previous Teams: Francistown United, Township Rollers

Favourite Local Player: Thatayaone Kgamanyane

Favourite International Players: Lionel Messi

Caps: Capped at Under 17 and Under 20

Accolades: 2021-2022 GCRFA Top goal scorer, 2021-2022 GU Top Goal scorer, 2019-2021 Mother’s Day Tournament runners-up, 2016-2017 FRAFA Women’s league runners-up