Dunga chases the golden boot

Omaatla ‘Dunga’ Kebatho is once again a footballer we all thought he could become following some tough times on the sidelines due to injuries.

An irrepressible force, a complete man-machine, Kebatho has been unstoppable and scoring goals for fun so far since the Botswana Football League (BFL) began.

After 11 round of games in the BFL, Dunga is the league’s leading goal-scorer with 10 goals including a hat-trick against Prisons XI.

Busting into the scene back in 2014, a young Kebatho would go on to terrorize defenders at the COSAFA Cup challenge before South African First Division side, Vasco Da Gama came calling for his services in 2015.

After struggling with injuries and adaptation in South Africa, the powerful striker returned home in 2016 to join Orapa United but his atrocious injury record appeared to maintain the same trend although the Ostriches exercised patience for his recovery.

“I’ve been struggling with injuries, last season in particular, I’ve managed to recover and started the season well and I want to keep going,” Kebatho told Sun Sport when asked about his impressive start to the season.

“I still have knocks here and there, they are minor injuries, I try to manage them and I attend physio sessions and work really hard on my recovery. The most important thing is to stay on the pitch for as long as I can, get match fitness—basically I am always training to reach my level best,” he said.

Last year, Jwaneng Galaxy’s Thabang Sesinyi bagged 24 goals to win the top goal scorer award ahead of Gaborone United attacker Thatayaone Kgamanyane who found the back of the net 21 times.

For Orapa United, Kebatho’s in- form is very timely as they look to upset the odds and clinch the title, the Ostriches are currently occupying 3rd spot, five (5) points behind the marauding and defending champions, GU, who are a leading the pack.

The Mining giant’s top goal-scorer last season was Gofaone Mabaya with nine (9) goals and Kebatho has already surpassed that mark and the season is not even half-way through yet.

The bulky striker has a goal contribution of 41.6 percent for his team, averaging a goal every 99 minutes, scaringly for BFL defenders, he still feels he has not yet produced the desired outcome in terms of his own set target of goal-returns. “I’m happy with my start to the season but I’m not overly content with the returns, I still feel that I haven’t done enough, I have my target for this season and I won’t rest until I get to it,” he shared after their weekend’s 4-0 win over struggling Holy Ghost; a game in which he scored the opening goal of the tie.

Probed further to share his target, Kebatho boldly stated that, “I have the mental strength, I have the belief that I can be the league’s top goal-scorer and I want to achieve that, I have to stay fit that is the first target but the ultimate goal is to become the top goal-scorer come end of the season,” he told Sun sport during a sideline interview.

Dunga was quick to credit his teammates, especially in the attacking areas as they have been supplying with enough opportunities to get goals.

Their fluid attacking quartet which includes, Kebatho, Onkemetse ‘Mike’ Powe, Lemogang Maswena and Zimbabwean midfielder Kelvin Bingala have combined to a devastating effect this season, ensuring that their side stays within touch of the top two teams. “I am happy for the teamwork and the commitment the whole squad have shown so far. We have great understanding of each other and that makes our tasks a bit easier; we are trying our best to get goals for the team,” he shared.

For the past three (3) years, Dunga has not received a national team call-up and the 29 year is still hopeful that he could return back to the national set-up, the last time he was a frequent feature in the team was during the days of Peter Butler, 2014-2017.

“For every player, donning the national team is always a great feeling so I want to return to the team; I haven’t been called for the past few years, due to injuries and school commitments; This time around I am looking forward to a return, hopefully my schedule at school will be kind,” he concluded.

The Zebras head coach Mogomotsi Mpote will be keeping close tabs on the progress of his former striker at club level as Algeria based Tumisang Orebonye is the only reliable goal poacher in the Zebras squad.