26-year-old striker Kgoloko Thobejane Jr has spoken about how being raised by the charismatic former Baroka FC coach has shaped his football career.
Thobejane Jr currently plays for SAFA Limpopo ABC Motsepe League side Gosebo United. Ironically, Gosebo is the same club that recently fired his father after a run of poor results.
He joined the side after three seasons on the sidelines, focusing on academic duties. Thobejane Jr is not new to football, having been part of Baroka FC three seasons ago, but couldn’t feature in the senior team. The striker has scored just one goal in the two matches that he featured in for the club this season.
YOUNG STRIKER TRYING TO MAKE A NAME FOR HIMSELF IN THE FOOTBALL FRATERNITY
He told FARPost how his father, a National first Division winning coach with Baroka in 2016, has inspired him since his young age.
“I call him my hero and my everything because whatever I do is because of his inspiration and advice,” said Thobejane Jr.
“My father groomed me, showing me this and that in terms of tactics and football brains. He inspired me a lot in football, especially when he took Baroka from the NFD to the big League [in 2016].
“That’s when I realised that anything is possible in life if you keep your mind focused on that particular objective. If you believe in what you want, it will eventually come to life,” he added.
“He always tells me that I should keep believing in myself. So that I can see that the outside forces can’t affect me. I must enjoy what I am good at and believe in it, and put more effort into it.
KGOLOKO THOBEJANE JR WANTS TO FOLLOW IN HIS FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS
The business management graduate at the Capricorn TVET College says he also has intentions of pursuing a career in coaching when he hangs up his boots.
“I have that in mind, but I know that football sometimes doesn’t have a guarantee. So everything will just happen as life goes. But in the meantime, I will enjoy playing and also focus on my studies.”
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