THATAYAONE KGAMANYANE DESERVING TO BE NICKNAMED “MESSI”?
BY:Kabelo Seleka
GABORONE:When the name Messi echoes in ones head,many think greatness,goals,skill,pace and pure talent.In contrast to this great name,locally former Black Forest wonderkid and now Gaborone United offensive midfielder Thatayaone “Messi” Kgamanyane is said to be declining in his service delivery and no where near Lionel Messi.
Messi as fondly known by his cheerleaders has had a slow to a bad start of BTC Premiership 2019/2020 season with his club “The Money Machine”.
Thatayaone Kgamanyane bursted into the big scenes with Forest’s first ever season after scoring eight goals and earning himself two national team.
To add more beef to his CV,Thatayaone Kgamanyane caught the attention of Township Rollers,Jwaneng Galaxy,Orapa United and GU,only to be snatched away from Magoleng with a P130 000.00 payout.
Following his great prowess at GU,Kgamanyane attracted interests from South African based Chippa United.Fast forward 2019/2020 after an unsuccessful stay at Chippa, Thatayaone Kgamanyane form is drowning.
A football analyst who preferred to remain unanimous narrated to this publication that Kgamanyane is no longer the same.
The mole argued that even at his best he cannot e compared to Messi,taking nothing away from the level of professionalism locally.He said that Thatayaone Kgamanyane used to punish teams before going to Absa premiership.The analyst suggested his unsuccessful stay at Chippa might have contributed to his poor form in 2019.
“Top players stay ontop for many years,due to unprofessionalism our local players fail to be the best for a long time,nonetheless,take nothing away from Kgamanyane,he was brilliant when Forest was promoted to the league and its first season,he continued to perform even with GU,the problem might be his stay at Chippa it emotionally tainted him,said the analyst.”
GU caretaker coach,Nikola Kavazobic appreciated that Kgamanyane is not at his best.Nikola lamented that on his day he has many similarities to that of Messi’s play.
He cautioned that the injury he sustained previously is impactful now in his play.
“I know that he disappointing everybody,but he did not disappoint me,im proud of him as I was when I first met him,he is having a bad time,people must know he is just coming from recovery,concluded Nikola.”
Notwane mentor Oupa Kowa supported an ideal of having Kgamanyane looking at his team standings. Kowa said Kgamanyane has the experience.The gaffer lamented that Kgamanyane is definitely a utility player.
“I dont know about placing a name in the player,but he is a player that can be useful,said Notwane gaffer.”
Efforts to reach Kgamanyane from his side were futile.Kgamanyane is known not be giving out media interviews.
