RATSHUKUDU IMPRESSES IN LILONGWE
The talented attacker was included in the best XI of the tournament after he managed to score four (4) goals and register an assist, helping Botswana to make it to the semi-finals of the tournament.
Botswana went on to lose to eventual champions, Zambia, settling for 4th position after also losing 2 -5 to Malawi in a 3rd place play-off encounter.
The talented 16 year old is currently in the books of Masitaoka FC who registered him for their development side.
Born in Ramotswa back in 2006, Losika has told Sun Sport that his passion for the game goes back to his early years, but he blossomed when his father was transferred to Mochudi where he got a chance to train with one regional outfit, Sundowns FC.
He was eventually snatched by Gaborone Football Academy, now Royal GFA, where he started to show glimpses of his qualities and earned him an Under 17 national team call-up at the age of 15.
“I grew up loving goalkeeping, I used to be a goalkeeper; the South African goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune, was one of my favourite players but when I got a chance to watch Lionel Messi, I changed my mind and decided to be an infield player, Lionel Messi is on a league of his own,” young Ratshukudu reminisced
of his early days in football.
“In Ramotswa, I didn’t have many opportunities where I could play, but once my father got a transfer to Mochudi I was able to fulfil my passion of playing football at a club called Sundowns. GFA however gave me exposure, playing in tournaments in South Africa really helped me to grow,” he said.
Losika admitted that his greatest inspiration is his brother and added that they both learn off from each other to harness their skills and improve their technique.
“To see him play was a motivation for me, it encouraged me to walk on his footsteps, I could tell he can achieve a lot in football, I learnt a lot from him but he also learns from me,” he shared.
Having made a debut for the Under 17 side last year at 15, Losika says representing Botswana is an honour and enjoys the pressure that comes with representing the country.
“The performance last year wasn’t good at all, I didn’t have the experience to play for the national team, I was nervous, this year I was ready, I knew what to expect, to play against physically strong and sometimes quicker opponents, so I was ready to help the team.
“We wanted to make it out of the group stages, we managed a 2 all draw with Malawi and won 1-nil against Namibia but we unfortunately lost against Zambia in the
semi-finals, we tried our best but it wasn’t meant to be and we finished 4th at the end,” Ratshukudu reflected.
He states that he wishes to play professional football, particularly in European leagues.
Currently, the youngster is exploring possibilities to move to the United States of America (USA) where he will get a chance to further his studies and also play college soccer.
His coach, Tebogo Mokute, told Sun Sport that, “he’s a talented boy, I been working with him since he was 14, I kept telling him that his time will come. He was part of the team last year in Lesotho and he started all the matches.”
Mokute described Ratshukudu’s talent as one of the best attacking midfielders the county could posssibly ever see.
“If properly nurtured, I think he’ll become the best attacking midfielder we’ve had in a long time, he uses both his feet and can play in all attacking areas.
I just wish his club could give him an opportunity to play because it is important for his development,” Mokute opined.
With Botswana and Namibia planning to host the Africa Cup of Nations’ (AFCON) 2027, Ratshukudu together with a good number of his teammates could be the stars set to shine in five years’ time should the two countries become successful in their bid.