07 Aug 2022

Two players from Thamaga Shooting Stars are set to go to South Africa after being identified by former Kaizer Chiefs and Zimababwe national team midfielder, Willard Katsande.

Katsande was in the country over the weekend at the invitation of Thamaga Shooting Stars’ management.

After watching a friendly game between the side and Black Forest, he selected the impressive due.

He said the idea was to give the players an opportunity to turn professional, adding that was how he also got his breakthrough.

“I also grew up in rural Zimbabwe so for me to eventually go to South Africa and play for Chiefs was after someone identified me,” he said.

He said he was only the facilitator and the onus was on the players to take advantage and prove that they could turn into professionals.

Katsande said he was happy to have met and inspired the players, adding they should refrain from wayward behaviour and drugs.

He said playing in the village disadvantaged players because the games were not being broadcasted on television, making it difficult for scouts to see them.

Given their background, he said the players had developed a tough mentality that could turn them into excellent professional players.

Katsande said it should also benefit the national team as the professional players would add value to the Zebras.

One of the players, Lebogang Ketshogile, was the star of the night as he scooped several awards amongst them Player of the Season, Player’s Player of the Season and Supporters’ Player of the Season.

According to his teammates, the 24-year-old has the best discipline and they trust that he could make it in South Africa.

Other than football, he also has a degree in electrical engineering.

For his part, Thamaga-Kumakwane MP, Palelo Motaosane, urged the players to be disciplined and dedicated in their game.

The MP said the majority of players for Thamaga Shooting Stars were not from the village.

He applauded Thamaga Shooting Stars for their good run last season where they finished as runners-up in the Kweneng Regional Division 1 for the first time in the history of the club.

Motaosane encouraged them to continue where they left, saying they would eventually be promoted to the First Division league. ENDS