Bongani Siqoko Soccer
Orlando Pirates midfield sensation Steve “Chippa” Lekoelea could see his childhood dreams become a reality this year. Lekoelea, who is gunning for a place in the Bafana Bafana squad to take part in the World Cup finals in France, could also land a contract with Dutch football giants PSV Eidenhoven.
“When my name appeared on TV as one of the new faces in the team, I was very happy. I expected to be selected and I think I deserve to be in the team because I have been playing so well lately,” he said.
If he makes that final 22 bound for France, Lekoelea will become the fourth footballer to represent South Africa at all four international levels – under-17, under-20, under-23 and the senior squad. This week he was a member of the 26 locally based players camping at Esselen Park.
He is confident that he will be one of the South Africans displaying their skills against different schools of soccer in the world’s most prestigious showpiece – the World Cup.
“I think I stand a chance to make it to France. And I intend to work even harder to show the selectors that I am ready,” he said.
Later this year Lekoelea will have trials with Holland’s PSV. This would be his second stint with the club. He first attracted their attention when he featured for the national under-20 side in last year’s World Youth Cup in Malaysia.
After his impressive play, PSV invited him to trials with the club but Lekoelea got homesick and boarded a plane home. Now the club is showing a keen interest in him again.
“This time I won’t come back. The reason why I returned is that I was lonely there and missed home badly. Now I am matured and can make it in Europe,” added Lekoelea.
When Bafana Bafana assistant coach Trott Moloto announced his training squad last week, 20-year-old Lekoelea and African Wanderers goalpoacher Siyabonga Nomvete were the two notable inclusions.
Because of his devastating form, it was widely expected that he would be included in the squad.
His outstanding form and has been a pillar of strength for Pirates. It was his pin-point passes, dazzling runs and sharp shooting that took Pirates through to the second round of the Bob Save Super Bowl, when they pipped Manning Rangers 4-3 on penalties last month.
He also showed character and was inspirational in the 1-0 win over arch rivals Kaizer Chiefs two weeks later.
At training this week, Lekoelea was one of the most impressive players. He showed his composure, skills and quick thinking and combined well with Thabang Lebese when playing those pin-point short passes.
A very clever player, Lekoelea has grown as a person and as a player since joining Pirates from Moroka Swallows two seasons ago. He is fast, very tricky, unpredictable and has got a big heart. He can shoot with both feet and his hunger for the back of the net saw him score vital goals for the “Ghosts.” as one of the best midfielders in the Premier Soccer League, Lekoelea is the right candidate for the right wing position.
If he does not make the team to France, it will not be the end of the road for this pocket-size attacking midfielder. He is young and given time, could be one of the best midfielders in the world.
On a cold August afternoon at Ellis Park, a 16-year-old Lekoelea made his professional debut for Moroka Swallows. Soon the youngster was becoming a household name in South African soccer. Football followers will remember him as the young Steve Motsiri – as Lekoelea was known – who showed no respect for former Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs captain Neil Tovey when he was still playing for the “Beautiful Birds”.
Lekoelea has represented South Africa at all junior levels and is currently a member of the under-23 team – affectionately known as Amaglugluglu – which will take part in an eight- nation tournament in France next month. He is also expected to play an important role in the under-23 side Olympic qualification rounds which begin later this year.
The road to the top has not been an easy one for the lad from Sebokeng in the Vaal Triangle. He struggled to stake a claim in the Pirates starting line-up until last November. Pirates’s 0-2 loss to Jomo Cosmos at PAM Brink stadium last November was a blessing in disguise for “Chippa” – as he is known to his fans.
With many Pirates players perfoming badly, Lekoelea showed some brilliant touches and was Pirates’s best player on the field. That won him coach Shaibu Amodu’s trust and since then he has not looked back and is now a regular in the side.
He is a player with the golden touch of a John “Shoes” Moshoeu. With the search for Moshoeu’s replacement now on, Lekoelea could prove to be the perfect candidate.