After an illustrious spell with Mogoditshane Fighters, Zebras’ tough tackling defender, Mompati Tshuma, finally moved to his employers’ team, BDF XI, last week.
Private Tshuma started his football at the lesser-known Police dominated team, Real Movers, in Selebi-Phikwe in the late 80s. Many will be surprised to learn that the lanky Zebras man was playing as a striker then, banging those goals left, right and centre. He went on to adopt the nickname “Zibochwa”, after one time Zebras and Gaborone United prolific goal poacher, Patrick Zibochwa.
The usually reserved Tshuma moved to Motlakase Football Club in Palapye. This is about the same time that he was admitted to Lotsane Senior Secondary School for his Cambridge. It was at Lotsane and Motlakase that his defending qualities came to the fore.
It was only a matter of time before Tshuma was snapped up by the then high-flying, David Bright-coached Mogoditshane Fighters.
Tshuma played for Fighters with passion. BDF XI had always tried to lure him away from Fighters but his loyalty to the “Village Warriors” impeded the move.
The Nata-born player went on to captain Fighters, even in its vain attempt to avoid relegation.
Tshuma is expected to form a solid defensive unit along side another Zebra, Donald Thobega.
The duo has partnered each other before. During the inter-military games recently, Tshuma and Thobega combined to thwart marauding South African and Malawian soldiers’ strikers. The Botswana soldier’s team went on to beat Malawi in the finals to get gold.
Staying with BDF XI, the team has acquired the services of Lobtrans Gunners’ goal poacher, Kenanao “Flo” Kgetholetsile, to add firepower upfront. The tricky forward was previously linked to Notwane but “Matebele” moved in swiftly to sign the player.
