Baroka scorer awaits top award

Thabiso Kutumela, leading goal scorer of the National First Division (NFD) is relishing the prospect of winning his first major award in the toughest division of South African football.
Kutumela has played for Baroka Football Club since 2012 and currently leads the strikers in the NFD with 16 goals after 20 matches. Given his form in the division the 23-year-old stands a great chance of winning the NFD Golden Boot Award.
The Mokopane born striker says his main aim is to finish the current season with 25 goals and be the all time top goal scorer in the league. “It is possible and I believe I can do it. When I was playing amateur football my dream was do well as a professional. I have the opportunity of fulfilling that childhood dream and I believe now is the time,” Kutumela said.
He also mentioned that he has learned a lot from his former teammate Gift Motupa who is currently doing trade at Orlando Pirates Football Club. “He was my teammate and is a great friend and a brother. We played together in most of the seasons. One thing I like about him is his big heart which I think is a good characteristic. He encourages me to do well in every match and I am grateful to have someone like him” Kutumela said.
Unlike many soccer players Kutumela has already prepared for life after soccer by enrolling for a course in Sports Management at Boston City Campus Polokwane. “I am in my fourth year now and although it is demanding, I am looking forward to completing the course. The life of a soccer player is too short, so when I turned professional I decided to enrol for Sport Management because I love sport and I think I can excel in that field,” Kutumela said.
He also added that if Sport Management does not work well he will venture into commentating and try to follow the footsteps of the legendary SuperSport commentator Baba Mthethwa. “I am a fan of Mthethwa I love his style of commentating. I understand soccer, I love commentating and analysing the beautiful game and those are the avenues I would like to venture into when I retire from football.”
Asked about his prospects of being included in the national u.23 team that will represent the country at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, he said he’d be happy to be selected. “It will be a big achievement for me as professional player. I mean it is not every player who gets an opportunity to represent his country so I will definitely cherish a call-up.”
In November he was called up by u.23 coach Owen da Gama to be part of the provisional squad for a Confederation of African Football u.23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Senegal.
He them missed a chance to be part of the final 21 squad due to lack of international matches.
“I was happy to be part of the provisional team. It was encouraging and motivating as well. I learned a lot during the camp, everything was done professionally and also enjoyed interacting with fellow teammates,” Kutumela said.
If he wins the Golden Boot Award he will be in the list of Phumelela Bengu who finished last season with 22 goals, David Zulu 2013/14 season top goal scorer with 16 goals and Reason Chiloane who finished the 2007/09 season with 14 goals.

Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert@mailbox.co.za