26 Jul 2018

 Former Black Forest football club and Gaborone United (GU) mercurial attacking midfielder Thatayaone Kgamanyane is determined to stay focused at his new nest and work an extra mile to help his team fight for the prestigious ABSA Premiership title.

Quite an ambitious blueprint for the 22-year-old for the upcoming 2018/19 season, but from the tone of his voice from his Port Elizabeth base on July 25, Messi, as Kgamanyane is fondly called in football circles is hoping for the best in the blue and white outfit of Chippa United. 

 Following his exploits at the COSAFA cup in Polokwane earlier this year Chippa United’s executive chairperson Siviwe ‘Chippa’ Mpengisi quickly snapped up Kgamanyane together with another exciting winger and teammate at GU Kabelo Seakanyeng.

The duo penned up a three year deal with the Port Elizabeth side.

The Ramotswa born midfielder wants nothing more than pleasing his new side the Chilli Boys as they seek to challenge for league honours after a barren spell since joining the top tier campaign from the lower division.

Kgamanyane has all the time to please the new coach Daniel ‘Dan’ Malesela who has since reunited with the Chilli Boys after being sacked in September last year.

He was replaced by fellow former Orlando Pirates teammate Teboho Moloi who was later relieved of his duties to give way to Serbian mentor Vladislav Heric.

He knows what is in store for him after a memorable season with his former employees GU where he finished the season as top goal scorer in the local league.

“Here everything else is so good. The set-up is too professional and everything is well in place. The training is top notch and my new teammates welcomed me in good spirits. The coach extended a hearty welcome too,” explained Kgamanyane in an interview.

Kgamanyane should brace for tough opposition to make a cut into the starting eleven.

He has to pull all the stops to avoid playing second fiddle to the likes of Kurt Lentjies, Andile Mbenyane, lerato Manzini and Mark Mayambela who are all jostling for a similar position. Nevertheless he got a clear signal about his intentions after making three appearances and scoring two goals recently.

Savouring the great moment in his football career Kgamanyane said he lived his dream when he was finally crowned the league’s top marksman.

“My man I never thought at 22 years and not your natural striker I could be top scorer. I started realising I will make it to the top when I was 12 goals level with my teammate Tumisang Orebonye. It was tough every time I played a match and the pressure was too much,” he said.

Malesela will pin his hopes on the free scoring Messi to bring glory to the closely contested league. Chippa struggled upfront finishing last season’s contest outside the top eight bracket with Linda Mntambo, a midfielder emerging their top scorer despite joining mid-season.

Rapelang ‘Raizor’ Tsatsilebe who had followed Kgamanyane from his time at Killer Giants and Green Lovers explains that Messi’s attitude of willing to learn and listen will make him excel in the ABSA league.

“With good advice and good guidance he shall excel. He is one player who is not easily derailed,” he noted.

Tsatsilebe brought Kgamanyane to Black Forest after plucking him from rivals Green Lover and played one season for his team.

Renowned local soccer analyst Bakang Moipone praised Kgamanyane’s achievements but had reservations about his move to SA’s top tier league.

“From Black Forest where he scored eight goals to a big team like GU where he scored 20 deserves an applause. Shifting from a second striker to a left winger in a big team is a great achievement. But I think he needed to stay two more seasons at home. That is where I think he should have tested himself and his qualities,” he added.

Moipone believes a move to a more relaxed atmosphere such as the South African National First Division would have been a good idea.

Kgamanyane, who was born in Ramotswa grew up in Taung. A second born of six siblings, Kgamanyane started kicking the pig skin as soon as he started learning how to walk.

The talent took off the ground at St Bernard’s Primary School, then Taung Junior Secondary before Green Lovers spotted him soon after his form five examination at Kagiso senior secondary.

“It was a perfect stay for me at Green Lovers. We had one of the best coaches who appreciated young talent. Though I never had enough game time I learnt a lot there. Black Forest is where I made my breakthrough in the BTC Premiership. The team owner gave me a chance to play football and also guided me off the field. I also had a bumper season at GU. It was the toughest moment of my football career on and off the field there but that didn’t make me lose my focus because I knew I wanted to go far. I worked hard to where I am now,” he said.

His first call up to the national team was last year when Botswana played Mauritania in an AFCON qualifying match at the Francistown stadium where Botswana lost 0-1.

Quizzed on his relationship with fellow countryman and teammate Seakanyeng, Kgamanyane says he has learnt a lot from the latter who has been on the game for some time now. ENDS