allAfrica.com: Botswana: Filling the Big Boots (Page 1 of 1)

Township Rollers have a history of goalkeepers with big reputations who have starred for the national team. Some of them are the late Sam Sono, Thabo 'Mahala' Motang and lately Lesego 'Chokri' Moeng.

With Moeng going through a rough patch due to injuries and his deputy Barolong 'Toldo' Lemmenyane proving unreliable, many Rollers' supporters have been wondering where their next great shot-stopper will come from. The search found Under-23 goalkeeper Itumeleng Selapa from Northern First Division side, FC Palapye but things did not work out and the lad opted for Premier League champions, ECCO City Greens.

Ironically, as the Rollers' scouts cast their eyes far and wide, a rough diamond, which needs a bit of polishing to fit the bill was already in the bag. Until the arrival of Zambian coach, Dickson Ngwenya in January, 23-year-old Goitseone 'Shakes' Morake has been largely an unknown quantity in local football. His debut for Rollers last season was overshadowed by the fact that his side hammered bogey team Extension Gunners 4-1 in a midweek game. After the game, he seemed to have disappeared in the crowd. However, the arrival of Ngwenya seems to have awakened the talent in him. Now Rollers' supporters are starting to have full confidence in the goalminder from Gobojango. This season, Morake has done enough to prove to Rollers' supporters that he has the same qualities to match his illustrious predecessors.

The youngster joined Rollers in 2006 from lower division side, Ditladi FC where he was spotted by former Rollers' communications officer, Aaron 'Route-4' Radira. It was not until last year that the youngster got the taste of big time football, thanks to the injury of first-choice goalkeeper, Moeng. "At the time when I made my debut, I was a bit scared. But when the game progressed, I settled. Since then, I have not looked back because I believe that I have everything to play for Rollers," Morake told Mmegi Sport. The youngster said when he first arrived at Rollers, he doubted whether he would ever play for the club because of the quality of goalkeepers already in camp. To his surprise, his new teammates, especially Moeng, encouraged him to work hard in training. "These days, I have a lot of support from Lesh (Moeng) and Toldo (Lemmenyane) even though they are not playing. They have been fantastic and I count on their support," said Morake.

Unfortunately, his first full season has not been an easy one as Rollers are going through a very rough patch. "I understand the supporters' frustrations especially that we are not winning. But I urge them to remain patient as we will turn the corner," Morake told Mmegi Sport. He pointed out that it has been painful to concede goals in the dying minutes but that is the nature of football. Moeng is full of praise for Morake. He believes that if the youngster rectifies a few weaknesses, his future is bright between the posts. "He is capable of going far as long as he remains level-headed. The problem is that he is too quiet for a goalkeeper but I believe that if he can communicate more, this will help him avert danger before it comes," he told Mmegi Sport. Moeng added that at times, Morake concedes unnecessary goals, which he could have avoided if he was vocal. Rollers' coach, Ngwenya said that since he came, he has seen the goalkeeper improving in every game. "If he continues working hard, he will go far and possibly represent his country," he said. Radio Botswana's sports presenter, Thuso Palai has said that Morake has potential but the problem is that sometimes he is let down by his defence. Palai noted that though Morake can go places, his main weakness is that he does not communicate.

"Even Bright (David) once said that Shakes is a good goalkeeper but his problem is that he is quiet. But of late, I have noticed that he is improving," said RB 1 journalist. Palai added that Morake has to work on cutting crosses because that is where he is at times found wanting.

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