Babutsi unleashes defensive prowess
Nchidzi Masendu | Saturday February 24, 2024 06:00
As Babutsi continues to evolve and dominate in the centre-back position, he is not merely leaving an impression in matches but also etching his name in the annals of football history.
His journey is one of dedication, hard work, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence.
Speaking to MmegiSport this week, Babutsi reflected on the enduring recollection of his debut match, acknowledging the considerable journey he has traversed in football ever since.
“I started my journey in 2014 when I finished my PSLE at Therisanyo Primary School in Old Naledi.
In primary school, I never had a chance to play football as my classmates played cricket when I was in Standard 5. I chose cricket as I felt it would be difficult to break into the football team, which was dominated by Standard 7 pupils.
When I was in Standard 7, I tried to leave cricket for football, but my cricket team coach, Mrs Lorato Moalosi, told me straight to my face that they needed me in the cricket team. She told me to forget about football and I did as I was told,” Babutsi said. He said he never gave up on his football career although he felt he was not talented enough.
"After I finished my PSLE, I went to play for Queens Happy Hearts, which is based in White City. I played in a couple of GACFA league games. Later, when I went to continue my studies at Gaborone West CJSS, I played for Top Stars Soccer Academy. In 2019, I started playing for a Division 3 team called Delta Chiefs, also known as Duma Chiefs,” the 21-year-old narrated.
During the same year, he received a call-up to the Under-17 national team trials.
He made it into the team coached by Tumi Duiker, and they participated in the COSAFA Under-17 tournament in Mauritius as well as the AUSC Region 5 Games, which Botswana hosted in 2019. “I remember when I was called for the trials, I was playing as a left back, but then I faced a speedy winger called Kaone 'Pedro' Kolagano, and I thought that was the end of my time in the team. But I was later moved to the centre-back position by Tebogo Mokute, who was the assistant coach. Up to now, I play as a centre-back," he said. In 2020, he was loaned to Uniao Flamingo Santos for six months from Delta Chiefs but did not play a single game for the Gabane side.
The following year, he was shipped to Gilport Lions by Top Stars Academy as he was still in their books. He made his Premier League debut during the 2021-022 season under coach, Paradzayi Mandivenga. Babutsi enjoyed a good season and was signed by Township Rollers at the start of last season. His journey to prominence has been marked by a series of standout performances.
With an innate ability to read the game and anticipate opponents' moves, he has earned the reputation of being the goalkeeper's best friend and an indispensable asset to his team. “In modern-day football, as a centre-back, we start the attacks from the goalkeeper moving through midfield to the forwards.
At first, I was not comfortable with starting the ball from the back but now I am working very hard on it and getting there,” he said. He recalls one of his best games to date, which was against Masitaoka at the Lobatse Sports Complex in a night match. "I accidentally scored during that match as the goalkeeper punched the ball into my chest and it went in. I was awarded the man-of-the-match and with it, an Oppo phone. That boosted my confidence as you know the pressure of playing for a big team,” he noted. What sets Babutsi apart is not just his physical power but also his leadership qualities on and off the field.
He said his coaches and family have been influential in his career. "I want to thank them for their support and I will always appreciate them,” Babutsi said. His dream is to represent Botswana at the Africa Cup of Nations finals and the World Cup. He spends time watching videos of some of the world's top centre-backs. "I love watching videos of Sergio Ramos, Ruben Dias, (Virgil) Van Dijk. I used to see Tsotso Ngele watching videos of Messi, Kevin De Bruyne, and Ozil before a game in the dressing room. I copied that from him," he said. Babutsi has been the Under-17 Haskins Top 8 gold medal winner, finishing third during the 2017 BISA tournament. At the top level, he was nominated for Young Player of the Season at the end of the 2021-2022 season while he was still at Gilport Lions.
Fact file Full name: Nico Thabo Babutsi Date of birth: March 16, 2002 Place of birth: Moshupa Position: Central defender Team: Township Rollers