Ralesotla takes Premier League by storm

Koketso Kgoboge | Wednesday September 9, 2015 16:54

Ralesotla, who was also named the August Player of the Month, started his football career at Maphatshwa before donning the colours of Green Lovers who at the time were playing in the Second Division. He became their top goal scorer when they secured promotion to the First Division.

He caught the eyes of the then Premier league side, Miscellaneous before they relegated in the 2013/2014 season. At Miscellaneous, he failed to break into the first team and last season he retraced his steps to Green Lovers.

In his first game at Green Lovers, he scored a hat-trick. He maintained his form and finished as the top goal scorer despite only playing half of the season.

Through his goal scoring prowess, he further downed Mogoditshane Fighters with three goals over the two legs when they won 3-2 on aggregate in last season’s beMOBILE Premier League play-offs.

He continues to score crucial goals for Green Lovers as they attempt to secure their stay in the elite league. He made his scoring debut in the Premier League against Nico United where he grabbed a brace in the 3-2 victory in their season opener. He scored two more goals in the game against Jwaneng Galaxy despite ending up on the losing side. He then went on to score three goals in the 4-2 win over Motlakase Power Dynamos before helping Green Lovers beat Sankoyo 4-3 with his brace.  The 23-year-old praised his teammates and the coach for his remarkable success. He said if the team continues to play well, he will maintain his scoring form.

“If I avoid injuries and we keep playing our game I surely will continue to score. We are unified and we are here to compete. We have been playing together since we were eight years in a development side and this is how we play. They understand my runs and my movements when I want the ball,” he said.

“My coach never stops advising me and we have a very good relationship. He is always behind me at training and makes sure I give 100 percent everyday,” he added.

His mentor, Onthusitse Kootswele shared the same sentiments and described Ralesotla as a team player who believes he is doing well because of the people around him. He said Ralesotla joined other teams, but was never given  opportunity. “I will not say he is a hard worker. He is a boy you will always have to put your knee behind him at training (sic). He does not have any special training, but he is doing quite well,” he said.

He said Ralesotla’s success is mainly due to the fact that together with a good number of his teammates, they have been playing together from primary schools days. “They have a good understanding and complement each other very well. I believe he will continue in the same manner,” Kootswele said.