07 Jun 2018

Ghanzi’s Obonye Galetlole is the embodiment of the saying dynamite comes in small packages.

The soccer star, affectionately known as Chompie, is pint-sized and hails from Tsootsha.

He started playing football as a goalkeeper in 2015 when he was in primary school and has never looked back.

His heroics have now seen him being selected for the Under 17 national team by the Botswana Football Association after he was selected in the regional competitions that were held in Gaborone last year.

The 15-year-old Itekeng Junior Secondary School student says his passion for football was ignited by his friends who play the game. Obonye, who has marvelous skills on the pitch, has a rich football background having been selected for the U-13 national team, making it to the zonal level for U-15 selections, the U-17 national team and a goalkeeper for Ghanzi United Farmers in the second division league.

 The amazing goalkeeper was awarded a bronze medal and a certificate of excellence during his primary school days.

The young player has proved to be a force to be reckoned with as he has made the U-17 final squad.

Through support from his coach, friends and family, the talented goalkeeper has gone from strength to strength.

He dreams of being a goalkeeper for the senior national team just like his role model, Kabelo Dambe, with even bigger aspirations to be as great as the German goalkeeper, Manuel Nuer.

There is little doubt that he will go far in his chosen path. Chompie, who also does boxing, says football will always remain his first love.

He will take part in the COSAFA U-17 tournament that will be held in Mauritius this month. ENDs