Tshelametsi�s injury-plagued career ends
Koketso Kgoboge | Friday April 8, 2016 14:37
Tshelametsi sustained a career- threatening knee injury in 2007 during a game between Notwane and Nico United. After suffering a minor knee injury while in camp with the Zebras, Tshelametsi aggravated the knock when his Notwane played Nico United.
In the match, ‘Tshela’ as he is affectionately known, tore his knee ligaments, an injury that was to take him five years to recover.
Prior to that, in 2002 he had also suffered a fractured vertebra bone in an away game against Zambia, which sidelined him for half a season.
The 35-year-old said the knee ligaments ruined his football playing career. “My career ended when I got injured in 2007. I was on top of my game then,” he said.
When he got injured he was at the peak of his career and was challenging Modiri Marumo for the Zebras number one jersey.
His charisma, command between the posts and penalty saving prowess had many pundits questioning why he was still playing second fiddle to Marumo. He was also known for his trademark long-range free-kicks which was unusual with most goalkeepers.
“I was on the verge of big things,” he said. “I had signed with Michael Williams (Agent) who was discussing a contract for me in Belgium and a week before my injury I was also on the verge of signing for South African Premiership side, Dynamos,” he reminisced.
On his return to the elite league after the five-year injury, the goalkeeper lived mostly in his shadow. The veteran goalkeeper affirmed he struggled after a long lay off and said experience kept him afloat.
“The body couldn’t take it anymore and I struggled with the reflexes. My strength was guidance and reading of the game, but I was in no pressure. I came back for the love of the sport. I played, I enjoyed and I had fun.” The Mahalapye-born keeper began his career at Mahalapye Hotspurs in 1994 at a tender age of 14, and competed in the First Division a season later.
In 1995, Township Rollers signed him and he became a second choice goalkeeper to the then seasoned Thabo Motang for two seasons, before the late Sam Sono recruited him to the First Division side, Satmos in 1997.
Tshela guided Satmos to a promotion the following year as a regular first choice and went on to win a Life Insurance Cup with his rookie side and in the same season finished as runners up to Mogoditshane Fighters in the 1999 Coca-Cola Cup final.
A season later, he joined Mogoditshane Fighters and went on to win three league titles. In the 2003/04 season, he joined Mochudi Centre Chiefs on loan.
Six months later, he had a break through to the international market. He rejoined Satmos and was sold to a Trinidad and Tobago side, Caledonia United where he spent two years.
On his return from the Caribbeans, he joined Notwane briefly before crossing the border to Petersburg, South Africa to ply his trade for City Pillars.
A season later in 2007, he rejoined Notwane while he was still a regular second choice goalkeeper for the Zebras under Veselin Jelusic. This was the year his career suffered a blackout.
Five years later in 2012, the veteran started lightly in a Francistown second division side, Sladden Eagles. Motlakase’s Boyo ‘Oris’ Radipotsane threw him a lifeline as a goalkeeper coach and was later convinced to get back between the posts.
His display in Chouka’s 2-2 draw against Gaborone United earned him a two-year contract with the Money Machine under David Bright. The move offered him opportunities for goalkeeping coaching courses, which he completed with the Botswana Football Association and FIFA.
When his GU contract expired he rejoined Satmos until he hung up his boots recently. The veteran goalkeeper said he is venturing into other projects, but he will also be involved in football.
“I have some other things that I need to get going at the moment, but I am a qualified goalkeeper coach with vast experience in the game and so I will always be available to help whenever I am called. I quit playing but I still have a lot to offer, football is my life,” he said.
Fact File
Name: Kagiso Tshelametsi
Date of Birth: July 7, 1980
Place of Birth: Mahalapye
Sport: Football
Position: Goalkeeper
Former Team(s): Mahalapye Highlanders, FC Satmos, Mogoditshane Fighters, Mochudi Centre Chiefs, Notwane, Caledonia United (Trinidad & Tobago), City Pillars (South Africa), Motlakase Power Dynamos, Gaborone United
National Team: Under 17, Under 20 and Senior National Team (12 Caps)