Sparkling Kgaswane destined for greater heights
Tumelo Mouwane | Friday April 24, 2015 14:02
He was an ever-present threat in a first half in which he ran the show before tiring in the second stanza.
At 20, he is one of Botswana’s emerging prospects, having already represented the country at all levels. He is part of the Under-23 side to play Kenya in Lobatse tonight.
His short, but budding career has seen him move quickly through the ranks. It is at the star studded GU that the youngster expects to push his performance to another level. The gangly Kgaswane made his international debut for the Under-17 side against South Africa in 2008. He began playing football at the age of nine while at Mmankgodi Primary School.
He does not forget his first football mentor, Kentse Motlhale whom he describes as a firm coach. “Kentse coached me and shaped me into what I am. He was so strict. I was almost signed for the Kaizer Chiefs development in 2009 when I was under Motlhale’s mentorship.
“The then Kaizer Chiefs technical team director showed interest in me, but unfortunately nothing worked out,” Kgaswane says.
Starting his football career as a winger, Kgaswane has never opted for any other position. He says he focused only on improving his play as a winger. “I started my football career as winger at Mmankgodi Tourism Club. I later joined Santos (Uniao Flamengo Santos) where my career started blossoming under coach Innocent Ranku.
“All of a sudden I was playing for GU. I would not say someone was instrumental in my move to GU. I just found myself under their colours.
“Maybe I loved the team, I do not know. I am happy with the way I was welcomed at GU. I can confidently call it a home away from home. All players welcomed me, especially the coach who gave me game time.
“GU is a well-resourced club and that improves my performance.
I am not looking forward to leaving GU for any local team anytime soon,” Kgaswane adds.
He believes maintaining focus helped GU win the Top 8 final. “We won Mascom Top 8 because we were focused on it. We saw the league was out of reach, so we focused on the final. “We went into the game without any pressure. It also depends on your motives as a team. If you badly want to achieve something, you can. “I felt relieved after we were awarded a penalty. When I looked at the time, I knew we had won the cup,” he recalls.
He believes the Botswana Football Association (BFA) should do more to ensure players get recognition outside. There are times when the winger takes a break from football.
“I spend some time on the play station, but I do not play football on it. I do racing as I need something else to focus on. “I am always listening to Hip Hop as I play the games- the likes of Enero and Zedrick,” Kgaswane concludes.