29 Jan 2018

Gaborone United (GU) attacking midfielder Thatayaone Kgamanyane is a man on a mission. 

The talented attacking midfielder says he intends to take his game to a new level and achieve success with Moyagoleele. 

Speaking recently in an interview, the 21-year-old explained that he was targeting to score at least 15 goals and winning silverware in his first season at GU.

Kgamanyane’s game has continued to flourish since arriving from Black Forest last year in a big money transfer worth a reported P130 000.

Though, he initially struggled with some inconsistent performances at the beginning of the campaign, Kgamanyane has now hit a goal trail and contributed greatly to Moyagoleele moving up the BTC Premiership standings and reaching the Mascom Top 8 semifinals.

Since opening his GU account on 30 November in a 3-1 league victory against Union Flamingo Santos at Molepolole Sports Complex, ‘Messi’ has gone on to score in each of the ensuing five league matches, including in the pulsating 2-2 Gaborone derby draw against Township Rollers at UB Stadium.

He took his tally for the campaign to nine with a brace in the 6-2 rout of Mochudi Centre Chiefs last weekend, which left him needing just six more to reach his scoring target for the campaign, with GU still to play 15 more matches.

The boy who derives his nickname from the FC Barcelona and Argentina legend Lionel Messi attributed this to the fact that he has worked hard to adapt to his new role at GU.

“The first games after joining Gaborone United, I was trying to settle in the team and get used to the new position I was assigned. I was not a winger when I joined Gaborone United but I am now playing as a winger. 

I am getting used to that position now and my performance has improved,” said Kgamanyane who played behind the strikers while at Black Forest and finished the 2016/17 campaign with many goals.

He said GU coach Rodolfo Zapata advised him to work harder at his game and to get used to playing as a winger. 

“The coaches we have in the team have shown me how to operate in my new role. Initially, I didn’t understand that role, I am now used to it and this is why I am scoring goals,” he said.

His understanding with playmaker Dirang Moloi and Tumisang Orebonye has transformed the GU attack into a difficult proposition to contain for opposition defences.

 “We play a lot of possession football at Gaborone United and this has also improved me as a player and I believe I will continue to improve in the coming games. Our target is to fight for the league and to win the Mascom Top 8,” he said.  ENDS