Former Zebras Captain Relishing Life Away From Soccer

BONTE SEEPI
Correspondent | Monday June 17, 2013 00:00

'We now have several players in the Premier League in South Africa like Joel 'Speedfire' Mogorosi, Mogakolodi 'Tsotso' Ngele, Ofentse 'Size Ten' Nato, Kabelo Dambe, Dipsy Selolwane, Modiri Marumo and Mogogi Gabonamong,' says Mosimanegape. The 37-year-old former footballer is now an Information Technology (IT) specialist at Barclays Bank in Francistown. He says the Zebras qualification to the AFCON tournament proved sceptics that there is enormous talent in the country that could go far if properly nurtured.

'The Zebras were the first team to qualify for the AFCON 2012 tournament.This is testimony that indeed there is talent in Botswana. Our players have gained international experience since taking part in the tournament.The tournament has given our players confidence that they can also compete with the best players from the continent, even those plying their trade at competitive leagues in Europe,' says Mosimanegape.The Mahalapye born footballer says that although the players showed that they have the ability to compete with the best in Africa, their major downfall was lack of experience and exposure.

He is nonetheless optimistic that the team will perform to expectations should it qualify for AFCON again.The former Zebras defender says late payment of allowances to players by Botswana Football Association (BFA) is a major contributing factor in poor performance.'This situation demoralises players because they will think that their efforts are not being appreciated and recognised by the association. Paying them on time will greatly motivate them to perform beyond supporters expectations,' says Mosimanegape.He thinks the time has come for players to be taught professionalism to lead exemplary lives on and off the field.He advises players to  invest the money they have made in football so that they can live well after they hang their boots.He says that during his time in football, the main motivation was to play for the national team. But today's players aspire to play for the national team and in competitive leagues in South Africa and Europe.

Mosimanegape says that currently, he does not have much influence in Botswana football. But he normally advises and encourages individual players he meets to concentrate and be focused on football in order to succeed.  The former no-nonsense defender says the Zebras players should always avail themselves when needed even after they hang their boots.He encourages the players to follow their dreams and not to be distracted by things that may end up destroying their careers.  'Players should make informed choices and not only be influenced by money to move from one club to another because they may end up not getting game time at their new teams which may end their playing careers,' he says. 

Mosimanegape's soccer career began in 1992 at Blue Hunters in Kanye while at senior secondary school. He also had a stint at Notwane, Gunners, TAFIC, TASC and GNT.He has played with the likes of Masego Nchingane, Phadza Butale, Tshepiso 'Sox' Molwantwa and Barnes Maplanka. He doffs his hat off to Major David Bright, his former coach at the Zebras, for clinching the Mascom Top 8 tournament with Gaborone United. He said Bright is one of the local coaches that made a difference at the Zebras.