In the past, goalkeepers were not given much attention compared to the other ten players on the field of play.
Things, however, have since changed and goalkeepers are playing a pivotal role to the extent that they can be a determining factor between victory and loss.
Some goalkeepers lead their average teams to major achievements but accolades would still be given to other players.
The typical example is the duo of Peter Schemeichel from Denmark and David Chilavert of Paraguay.
During Scheimeichel’s times, his Danish team always had it easy qualifying for major tournaments like the World Cup and European Championships, thanks to his always outstanding performances.
The same goes for Chilavert who, at one stage, was touted to become Paraguayan president. Despite Paraguay’s average squad, Chilavert always made his team a force to reckon with.
Since their retirement, both countries are not the same compared to the years the two ‘keepers were active.
In Botswana, goalkeeping is one area that still appears not to be getting the attention it deserves and if measures are not put in place, the issue will keep haunting Botswana.
The first choice goalkeepers of the national team are never pushed, meaning they are always guaranteed their places.
From Mooketsi ‘China’ Mading’s time in the 80s and 90s, it has not been easy for the goalkeepers who followed.
After Mading came Thabo Motang in the mid 90s and he dominated for some time. Motang was so outstanding at both his team, Township Rollers, and at the national team that when he was injured there was an outcry everywhere.
Some goalkeepers, who came close to challenging him, were the likes of Odirile ‘Biemba’ Gaolebale, who ended up at BDF XI. It took the current first choice goalkeeper, Marumo, a bit longer to win the first choice goalkeeper mantle, something he achieved as Motang was winding up his career.
Currently, Marumo does not seem to be facing stiff competition for the number one jersey.
His presence is inspirational for the Zebras and when he is absent, there is a lot gloom because, once he is between the posts, the whole team normally clicks.
He has now broken the Southern African barrier by signing for a top league in Africa. Normally, it is not easy for Southern African goalkeepers to sign for lucrative leagues and most of them end up in South Africa.
The second choice goalkeeper for the national team, Noah Maposa, has shown that he is not to be relied upon in Marumo’s absence.
He was between the posts for several of the games Botswana lost and some of the goals he conceded could have been easily saved.
What is, however, surprising with goalkeepers in Botswana is the fact that once they call it quits, they rarely give back to the community by, say, developing upcoming youngsters.
Former goalkeepers, such as Macro Makubate, Gaolebale, and Jacob Mothobi, Steven Monageng (just to mention a few) are rarely seen actively involved with soccer.
Former national team goalkeeper and Botswana Football Association’s technical officer, Matshidiso ‘Sexton’ Kowa, concedes that goalkeeping is an area that has never been given attention despite being so invaluable.
“We have a serious problem in this country and if it cannot be tackled early, we will take ages to produce good goalkeepers. Some of the great goalkeepers this country ever produced, Mading and Motang, were actually trained and refined by me. If there were many other goalkeeper coaches around the country we could be having more goalkeepers fighting for a place in the national team,” he said.
Kowa also took a swipe at the local teams for not giving their former goalkeepers a chance once they show interest. He said local teams should give their former goalkeepers a chance to coach, from the youth teams up. He stressed that it is about time local teams and those involved with the running of football change their mindsets. In the past, goalkeepers were not given much attention compared to the other ten players on the field of play.
Things, however, have since changed and goalkeepers are playing a pivotal role to the extent that they can be a determining factor between victory and loss.
Some goalkeepers lead their average teams to major achievements but accolades would still be given to other players.
The typical example is the duo of Peter Schemeichel from Denmark and David Chilavert of Paraguay.
During Scheimeichel’s times, his Danish team always had it easy qualifying for major tournaments like the World Cup and European Championships, thanks to his always outstanding performances.
The same goes for Chilavert who, at one stage, was touted to become Paraguayan president. Despite Paraguay’s average squad, Chilavert always made his team a force to reckon with.
Since their retirement, both countries are not the same compared to the years the two ‘keepers were active.
In Botswana, goalkeeping is one area that still appears not to be getting the attention it deserves and if measures are not put in place, the issue will keep haunting Botswana.
The first choice goalkeepers of the national team are never pushed, meaning they are always guaranteed their places.
From Mooketsi ‘China’ Mading’s time in the 80s and 90s, it has not been easy for the goalkeepers who followed.
After Mading came Thabo Motang in the mid 90s and he dominated for some time. Motang was so outstanding at both his team, Township Rollers, and at the national team that when he was injured there was an outcry everywhere.
Some goalkeepers, who came close to challenging him, were the likes of Odirile ‘Biemba’ Gaolebale, who ended up at BDF XI. It took the current first choice goalkeeper, Marumo, a bit longer to win the first choice goalkeeper mantle, something he achieved as Motang was winding up his career.
Currently, Marumo does not seem to be facing stiff competition for the number one jersey.
His presence is inspirational for the Zebras and when he is absent, there is a lot gloom because, once he is between the posts, the whole team normally clicks.
He has now broken the Southern African barrier by signing for a top league in Africa. Normally, it is not easy for Southern African goalkeepers to sign for lucrative leagues and most of them end up in South Africa.
The second choice goalkeeper for the national team, Noah Maposa, has shown that he is not to be relied upon in Marumo’s absence.
He was between the posts for several of the games Botswana lost and some of the goals he conceded could have been easily saved.
What is, however, surprising with goalkeepers in Botswana is the fact that once they call it quits, they rarely give back to the community by, say, developing upcoming youngsters.
Former goalkeepers, such as Macro Makubate, Gaolebale, and Jacob Mothobi, Steven Monageng (just to mention a few) are rarely seen actively involved with soccer.
Former national team goalkeeper and Botswana Football Association’s technical officer, Matshidiso ‘Sexton’ Kowa, concedes that goalkeeping is an area that has never been given attention despite being so invaluable.
“We have a serious problem in this country and if it cannot be tackled early, we will take ages to produce good goalkeepers. Some of the great goalkeepers this country ever produced, Mading and Motang, were actually trained and refined by me. If there were many other goalkeeper coaches around the country we could be having more goalkeepers fighting for a place in the national team,” he said.
Kowa also took a swipe at the local teams for not giving their former goalkeepers a chance once they show interest. He said local teams should give their former goalkeepers a chance to coach, from the youth teams up. He stressed that it is about time local teams and those involved with the running of football change their mindsets.
