Motswetla: A goalkeeping superstar in the making
Pini Bothoko | Friday January 25, 2019 11:50
Growing up playing football with other children by the roadside, few saw Motswetla as a future star. He is not there yet, but he gave glimpses of the future with some stupendous saves during a football tournament over the festive season in Borolong.
Displaying an assortment of goalkeeping skills, the teen managed to attract fans, who could not stop talking about him the entire tournament. He helped his team win the tournament after struggling for the past 17 years to reach the finals. Motswetla saved a number of penalties as he shone like a pebble on a beach, to hand his team the trophy, gold medals and a cash prize of P6,500.
He was rightly adjudged the goalkeeper of the tournament and also bagged the biggest individual award; the tournament’s best player.
Motswetla told Mmegi Sport, following his heroics, that his love for soccer began at a young age and he developed interest in goalkeeping during his primary school days.
The calm Motswetla said it was back in 2011, when he was in Standard 6 at Borolong Primary School when he was put between the posts by his teachers, who were the team coaches.
“Being part of the school team came as a motivation.
I began to commit to training far more seriously. I excelled in my goalkeeping position up until at junior secondary school and senior secondary school, where I dreamt of becoming a renowned goalkeeper one day,” Motswetla said. He said after completing his Form 5, he joined Magodi Young Movers now playing in Division One where one of the officials, Ace Kelekwang spotted his talent.
“It was after one training session when ‘Bro Ace’ stopped me for a chat and told me that he has spotted something unique about my goal keeping techniques and if I can be focused I could turn into a celebrated football star one day,” said the soft-spoken Motswetla.
“I was overwhelmed.
His words motivated me. He continued to help me with goal keeping techniques and I am proud of his support,” he added. Motswetla said he looks up to Bloemfontein Celtic and Zebras star goalkeeper, Kabelo Dambe and former Real Madrid goal minder, Iker Casillas, for inspiration.
“I am in love with Dambe’s goal keeping skills. He is a focussed and disciplined player. I wish to see myself excelling like him. I always watch him on television and he inspires me each and every time I watch him play,” he said.