Kebonnetse could boost Young Zebras

THATO KALA
Correspondent | Friday September 24, 2010 00:00

 

Kebonnetse, the top scorer in last year's Under-20 African Youth Championships in South Africa, is now based in the United States where he plays college football for Dayton University.

However, the former national Under 20 team captain must first recover from a slight knock on his knee to make it for the national Under-23 preliminary Olympic tie against Namibia's Young Brave Warriors on October 9.

This is what Kebonnetse says from his US base: 'I'm supposed to come month-end for Under-23 camp, but I got a slight knock on my knee last Thursday and the medical team said if I recover in time, I can go (for the Namibia game). If not, I guess I will have to wait for the return leg in December, if they call me.'

Kebonnetse is one of the most promising junior players in the country. He has been the most consistent goal poacher at the junior level in recent years.

The Under-23 team, which is mostly made up of his former Under-20 teammates, is presently in camp in preparation for the Namibia tie.

The 20-year-old forward says he does not want to take chances concerning his fitness. 'I want to be fully fit because I've learned through my mistakes in the past and here (in the US) it's professional,' he points out. 'You can't just rush things, you have to be at your best.'

An interesting coincidence is that Kebonnetse is presently under the tutelage of Dennis Currier, the man who helped Dipsy Selolwane turn professional.

However, the young goal-getter has had a dry spell in the three games he has so far played. But he is unfazed: 'College football is great,' he says.

'It's fast and very competitive. You have to be fit and strong, or you get hurt or le jewa bontsi. So I am working on those things.'

The young striker, who was marginalised during his stay at Popa, believes the US is an ideal platform for him to develop into a great player.

'It's hard when a coach wants you off for every little mistake you make,' he says, a touch wistfully. 'Here I am enjoying myself. I am allowed to turn and face defenders and chase if I lose the ball.

'Remember I had five guys competing for my spot at Popa. So it was hard to be free; you had to play a role that made the team win in a style that wasn't really yours.'

The youngster had to battle it out with the likes of Zebra striker Onalethata Tshekiso, Thando 'Matsau' Moreki, Phenyo Molefhe, Mohammed Chawila and Terrence Mandaza.

Meanwhile, the coach of the senior national team says he intends to devise a way of monitoring US-based players. 'We have a number of players in the US who are said to be doing well,' Stanley Tshosane notes.

'There should be some way of monitoring their progress because there is a possibility we could be ignoring good players out there.'