Mahala: I lived my dream

| Friday January 16, 2009 00:00

 

Mmegi: Can you tell us who Thabo 'Mahala' Motang is?

Motang: I was born on the 20th November, 1967 in Goodhope in the Borolong area. I am the first born in a family of four, consisting of two men and two women. I grew up in Selebi-Phikwe where I did my primary and secondary education.

Mmegi: What do you do for a living?

Motang: Currently, I am fully employed by Township Rollers where I work as an assistant coach and goalkeepers' coach. I started working at Rollers last October and I must admit that I am enjoying my job.

Mmegi: Ok, when did you start playing football and what attracted you to the sport?

Motang: Like any other boy when growing up, football was the only source of entertainment. After school, we used to go play on the streets with the likes of (Mmoloki) BB Sechele. I started playing soccer when I was doing Standard Six at Segomotso Primary School, as a defensive midfielder.

But it so happened that when we were playing against Tebogo Primary School, BB Sechele scored all the way from the centre circle. That upset me so much that I confronted our goalkeeper and took over. I did not concede a single goal in the remaining minutes of the game.  From there I never looked back but never had confidence that I could become a better goalkeeper. However, at secondary school nobody wanted to be a goalkeeper. That thing gave me courage and went all the way. In 1984, I was selected for the national Under-20 team that participated in the regional competition in Swaziland. My career continued to get better from there.

Mmegi: When did you join Township Rollers and what attracted you to them. Were you not scared of their huge following?

Motang: When I finished Cambridge, I told myself that for me to grow as a goalkeeper I needed to join a team that would expose me and where I would face stiffer competition. Initially, I wanted to join Notwane since I liked their colours because I am a Kaizer Chiefs' supporter. At the time, Rollers had goalkeepers like the late Sam Sono, Kabelo 'Otto' Otukile and City Manyelele and I believed that for me to become what I wanted, I should fight for a place with them. So that is how I settled for Rollers and joined in 1987. I was not worried about the huge following that Rollers enjoyed, all I wanted was to play football and do my best.

Mmegi: Like you mentioned, Rollers had some of the finest goalkeepers in the country. Did you have confidence that you would make it into the team?

Motang: I was not scared of competition because I believed that they could help me grow as a goalkeeper through their guidance. I wanted to play for the national team and probably snatch the jersey from China (Mooketsi Mading), who was then the first choice goalkeeper. I got the motivation from the fact that China was my monitor at school and felt that I should emulate him. My plan worked and I achieved much as a goalkeeper both at Rollers and national team.

Mmegi: You established yourself as one of the best goalkeepers in the country. What motivated you to perform week in and out for Mapalastina, considering the pressure which goes with the club?

Motang: I was disciplined, dedicated and determined. I believe that for one to become a better footballer you have to remain focused and not let other things which come with being a footballer distract you. The other thing is that I never thought I am better than any other goalkeeper at Rollers despite receiving a lot of accolades from the management, teammates, supporters and media. Though he was coaching Gunners, the late Kenny Mwape helped me a lot because he used to train me in the morning before I went to work and joined the rest of my team-mates in the afternoon for another session. That brought the best out of me.

Mmegi: When you were on top of your game, Rollers signed a promising young goalkeeper Lesego 'Chokri' Moeng in the early 90s. Were you not scared that he would relegate you to the bench?

Motang: Actually, it was not only Lesego. Any goalkeeper who came to Township Rollers, I used to welcome him with open hands because I never saw him as a threat. I believed that any goalkeeper would bring the best out of me. Lesego was a brilliant goalkeeper and saw a lot of potential in him. Even when he left for Centre Chiefs, he told me and gave him my blessings. He wanted to play and at the time he could not take my position.

He promised that one day he would return after gaining experience and did just that.

Mmegi: Which cup final remains close to your heart throughout the years you have played football and why?

Motang: It was during the Supreme Spectacular final against Notwane and we beat them 3-1. Notwane scored a controversial goal when ball came off the crossbar and never crossed the line but the referee pointed to the centre-line. It was quite painful but we managed to lift each other and bounced back to win the game. The 1994 Coca-Cola Cup final was also special and when we beat Gunners 2-0. I saved a penalty during the game from (Philemon) Chisala and at the time when I saved it, we were leading 1-0 and they could have equalised. The two finals remain special as I contributed positively.

Mmegi: Who has had great influence in your football career?

Motang: I must say it was my teacher, Collin Monkge. From secondary school, he made me believe in my abilities and was always willing to go an extra-mile to ensure that I become a better goalkeeper. I remember we were playing Shashe in 1985, and I conceded a goal in the opening half and at half-time our opponents were leading 1-0.

During the break, he brought a stick and he talked to us while the stick was next to him.

We knew that he wanted us to win and managed to bounce back and win the game 4-1.

Mmegi: Not many people are aware that you once went for trials at Mamelodi Sundowns in 1997 and coach Screamer Tshabalala was on the verge of signing you on. The move did not materialise, what happened?

Motang: At the time when I went to Sundowns, nobody here knew about the trials. Even at my employers at the time and Rollers did not know about it. I just disappeared and went to train with Sundowns for two weeks and what made life out there difficult was that I did not have an agent. Screamer was interested in signing me on and was just waiting for directors Natasha (Tischlas) and (Peter) Koutrolis to come back from Greece.

Unfortunately, the media here found out that I was in South Africa and reported about the issue. I was scared because my employers knew I was on the lead  and I was scared that I might lose my job. I disappeared from Sundowns without telling them that I was returning home. That is how Sundowns ended up signing Ronnie Kanalelo from Namibia.

Mmegi: When did you break into the national team and do you still remember your debut game?

Motang: I joined the national team in 1988 and made my debut the same year against Zambia at the National Stadium in Gaborone, in a game which we won 2-1. It was a difficult game for me as a debutant but I knew that was the only chance for me to prove to the nation that I was a great goalkeeper. I performed well and saved a penalty during the game. After that game, people started having confidence in me and never looked back.

Mmegi: You worked with China Mading at the national team level, how can you describe your relationship?

Motang: China was very disciplined player and humble. He was open with me and like I said earlier, he had a great influence in my career. He never saw me as an opponent but as a colleague and strived hard to make me a complete goalkeeper.

Mmegi: Still on the issue of Mading, after the Zebras were hammered 6-0 by Ivory Coast in Abidjan during the African Nations Cup qualifiers in the 90s, you were quoted in the media as saying that China is the one who cost us the game. This left many people surprised as they never expected you to attack your teammate like that. Can you share with us the reason behind the criticism?

Motang: You know that report haunted me for a very long time, something which made me not to have confidence in the journalists. I really felt bad when reading that article because I never attacked China. Firstly, I thought of the healthy relationship I had with him and wondered what is going to happen. Fortunately, we did talk about the issue and he had no hard feelings against me. I was even afraid to walk in public because people who have long believed China's abilities turned their back against me thinking that I am a bad guy.

Mmegi: When did you retire from active football and why?

Motang: I decided to retire in 2006 while playing for Mahalapye Hotspurs because of work commitments. It was a difficult decision for me to take because I believed that I could still carry on. But because my work was the one which was putting bread and butter on my desk, I had to abandon football. After that, I went into coaching because I wanted to give back the things which I have learnt during the years which I was involved in the game. I am glad that right now I am living the dream as I am involved with Rollers and Zebras. I would like to thank Botswana Football Association (BFA) for sending me to coaching courses here and abroad.

Mmegi: After spending sometime at Hotspurs, you surprisingly resurfaced at Rollers late last year. How did it happen?

Motang: Rollers' officials have always been in touch with me even during my stay at Hotspurs. When I came back to Gaborone, they were ready for me and they took me on board.

Mmegi: How is your relationship with head coach Rahman Gumbo and do you believe he has what it takes to steer Rollers' ship to the greater heights?

Motang: Our relationship is good and he is an open minded coach, who emphasises on discipline. He is jolly but does not forget that he has a job to do. I believe that if he is given the necessary support, he can take Rollers somewhere. He is in the same mould of Freddie Mwila because he does not take nonsense and that is the way it should be if you want to achieve big things.

Mmegi: Recently, Rollers' supporters phoned on RB 2 sports programme and said Rollers' weakest link is the goalkeeping department. Having kept the goals for Rollers and Zebras, what is your take on the issue?

Motang: It is an opinion of an individual and I have to respect that. If you look at Anthony (Matengu) he has been outstanding in all the games he has featured. The young boy (Kabelo Dambe) has also done well and the goal he conceded against BDF XI, you cannot blame him. I think we are healthy in this department, I think we rank among the best in the league in this department.

Mmegi: League statistics show that Rollers are the third best side as far as scoring goals is concerned behind Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Gaborone United. Are you happy with the performance of your strikers?

Motang: I am not happy at all because we are missing a lot of scoring chances which we create. We should be tops and we are currently working hard on converting in training.

Mmegi: You worked with Englishman Colwyn Rowe at the national team, do you think it was right to send him packing?

Motang: It was not good to release the guy looking at the time. If they had wanted to sack him, they could have done it before the campaign started.  This was going to allow his successor to have enough time to come up with his own plans and create an understanding with the players. I believe that Rowe was not a bad coach though he had his own weaknesses.

Mmegi: Former BDF XI coach Stanley Tshosane was roped in to lead the Zebras in the remaining five games of the 2010 World Cup/African Nations Cup qualifiers. Can you say he failed us like many people claim?

Motang: In the past campaign, I would not blame Rowe and Tshosane. What I can do is to blame those responsible for running football (BFA) because they made unreasonable changes when the campaign was already under way. Tshosane was sent into a deep end because he had no time to come with his new strategies.

Mmegi: Give us your best eleven players you have played with at Rollers

Motang: Myself, Pio Paul, Lefty Ntsiane, Route four (Aaron Radira), Trigger (Molelekwa), Dennis Kabwe, States (Mmoni Segopolo), Oris (Radipotsane), Dennis Mwasala, (Joseph) Chikoti and Desmond Molefhe.

Mmegi: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

Motang: Leading Rollers to greater heights  as a coach. I believe that I can handle the pressure which goes with the team because I am used to it - right from the days I was a player. I am presently working there as an assistant coach and with the experience of working at the national team, the sky is the limit.