While Banyana Banyana ace striker Portia Modise is edging towards the twilight of her remarkable career, 18-year-old Thembi Kgatlane’s journey is just beginning.
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But while Kgatlane launches her career in the footsteps of the soccer icon, Modise had to chart her own path, down to the 100th goal tally that she is on the verge of achieving.
The veteran striker has struck 97 goals for the women’s national team from 113 caps since making her debut in 2000 and her plan is to reach her “century” before next month’s African Women’s Championship in Namibia.
Should she manage this feat, Modise will be the first ever South African national team player to reach a 100 goals.
“It would be an achievement and I’m enjoying every moment of it,” Modise said yesterday.
“But I must remain humble and keep my feet on the ground.
“All I’m focusing on now is to help the team win games and achieve our goal.”
The 32-year-old Soweto-born shooter says should she reach the 100-goal mark while helping the team qualify for the Fifa World Cup in Canada next year, it will be the best moment of her career.
“I would love to go to the tournament having scored 100 goals already. But I’m not putting my self under any undue pressure.
“If it happens, it happens. Whoever scores and help the team win is okay. Obviously it will be a great achievement to help the team qualify for the World Cup next year.
“But the focus isn’t about me, but on the team.”
Modise will have that opportunity to score her 100th before the AWC tournament when Banyana play Ivory Coast and Zambia in their last two matches before they depart to Namibia.
Tomorrow they host Ivory Coast in the international friendly at Rustenburg’s Moruleng Stadium at 3pm.
She admits that she is feeling nervous as she edges closer to the century.
“It is normal to feel nervous, but I will try to control that situation by staying as calm as I can.
“What is pleasing is I didn’t set any targets about how many goals I need to score. It is only now when I started to realise people kept on reminding me about it.
“I will keep on working hard and hopefully up my confidence ahead of the tournament in Namibia.”
Source : newage.co.za
Links : salovesfootball.mobi
