19 Sep 2016

Having not played football to top level because of injuries, Seabelo Dengu  believes he has it in him to help youngsters take football as a career.

Wherever he is, the 40-year-old, Tonota-born is  always surrounded by a group of young boys aged betweeen 9-17, mostly soccer players who admire and look up to him.

Dengu, who holds a certificate in preliminary coaching and premier skills also commands a lot of respect among his future soccer stars.

Dengu has turned the dusty football grounds at Botswana Defence Force in Donga Military Installation into an academy started 10 years ago. 

He said in an interview that his mission was to group and identify soccer talent from youngsters at the camp and also in the neighbouring locations.

“As you can see, we have talent here. I love soccer, enjoy working with these small boys and I look after these children by keeping them in the grounds without expecting any payment,” he said.

From a distance, one would think the children are merely playing until Dengu is heard giving instructions from the sidelines, then one would know that they are on a serious business.

“I am their father, manager, coach and they listen to me very well. 

I manage close to 35 children here from different backgrounds but have one goal to be reputable future soccer stars and I take them through the drills and tactics of football,” he said.

‘‘My plan is to enrol for FIFA coaching courses in future in order to acquire advanced professional coaching skills, something which could help me mould these boys into even much better players and I hope my dreams won’t get dented.”

He also mentioned that his dream is to open a soccer academy saying that results were showing because he has groomed players in the likes of Kutlo Motshwaedi and Thero Setsile who play for TASC and Jwaneng Galaxy football clubs respectively.

“Recently, a premier league outfit, Green Lovers acquired Kgotso Mokhudu from my development side and three of my development products are with the national U-15 soccer team being Benson Mosukubanje, Tumisang Matema and One Samboya,’’ he said.

One wonders how he does it, but he revealed that passion and a burning desire to help resuscitate soccer development in the country drives him.

Dengu mentioned that he uses his money to purchase equipment such as balls, cones and soccer aprons.

“My mentor is the former Zebras coach and retired military officer, Lt Col. Stanley Tshosane and whenever he is around he attends my training sessions and encourages me,” he said.

He further said his wish is to see football administrators from BFA visit his boys and see what he is doing and even assist in any form. ENDS