Baroka Football Club star striker and leading goal scorer in the National First Division (NFD) Thabiso Kutumela is happy with a call up to the South Africa u.23 soccer team.
Mokopane born Kutumela has been included in a 22 men squad that will play a friendly match against Brazil u.23 soccer team at Estádio Re Pelé Rei Pele Stadium in Maceio in the state of Alagoas, Brazil on Monday.
The match is part of preparations for the 2016 Olympics Games which will be held in Brazil from 5 to 21 August.
Kutumela missed selection for the squad that played in the Olympic Qualifier games in Senegal last year due to lack of international matches. He believes this is the right time to impress the team selectors in order to get regular national team call ups.
“First of all I am grateful for the opportunity. This is my second call up to the national team but it is going my first European trip and I hoping to make a good impression. I am also glad to be recognised by Head Coach Owen da Gama and my ultimate dream is to be part of the final team that will be going to Brazil in August,” Kutumela said.
He also mentioned that he will use the friendly match as a learning curve and also acquaint himself with national coach’s philosophies. “I think this is time to learn from the coach and other players as well in order for me to develop as complete player. So I will use the trip wisely,” added Kutumela.
Featured Photo by Herbert Rachuene – Baroka Football Club star striker and leading goal scorer of National First Division, Thabiso Kutumela.
Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert@mailbox.co.za
