Sowetan

Sanele learns from his seniors

Young keeper’s dream for title win

- By Sihle Ndebele

Bidvest Wits young goalkeeper Sanele Tshabalala believes learning from Moeneeb Josephs and Darren Keet at the Clever Boys was key to his developmen­t, and helping the SA Under-20 to the Cosafa U20 Championsh­ip triumph .

Amajita beat Lesotho 2-1 in the final of the regional competitio­n in Zambia at the weekend.

“I am very fortunate to have them [Josephs and Keet] because I learn from them. Some of the things they have taught me helped me to do well,” said Tshabalala.

“They both played for Bafana Bafana and know what is expected at internatio­nal level and I use their advice when I am with the national team,’’ he added.

“I will keep on learning from them because I think I am not ready yet for the first team. I do not want to rush and put myself under unnecessar­y pressure. Going forward I want to improve as a player.’’

Amajita won their sixth Cosafa title without any loss.

“Our mindset was positive from the first camp. Each one in the team was willing to fight. Mentally, the team was ready for anything.’’

The 19-year-old shot-stopper was only drafted into the starting line-up when first choice keeper Khulekani Kubheka of Mamelodi Sundowns was suspended in the group stages against Egypt.

He went on to play a pivotal role in the team’s win, keeping a clean sheet in the 1-0 win against Egypt in the semifinal, and conceding a goal in the final against Lesotho.

 ?? / MUZI NTOMBELA/ BACKPAGEPI­X ?? Amajita keeper Sanele Tshabalala is grateful to Moeneeb Joseph and Darren Keet for his developmen­t.
/ MUZI NTOMBELA/ BACKPAGEPI­X Amajita keeper Sanele Tshabalala is grateful to Moeneeb Joseph and Darren Keet for his developmen­t.

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