Pascalinah Kabi
MASERU — When Nketsi Rankhasa, 16, and Joseph Tlali, 17, began kicking a ball some 10 years ago little did they realise their dreams of rubbing shoulders with the games’ biggest stars would one day come true. That dream is about to come true.
The two teenagers will on Thursday leave for London, United Kingdom, for a two-week training camp with English Premiership giants Chelsea Football Club.
The two won the right to attend the London training camp after they impressed at the Copa Coca-Cola National Schools Tournament last month.
The trip is fully sponsored by Coca-Cola, the main sponsors of the Copa Coca-Cola National Schools Tournament.
An excited Rankhasa, who says he will be boarding a plane for the first time, said although he had always had dreams of rubbing shoulders with the game’s biggest stars, he never thought the dream would be realised this “soon”.
The petite left-back, whose favourite player is Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, says he wants to thank God for this rare opportunity.
“From the day I started playing football, I think I was seven by then, I had always dreamt of meeting international football stars,” Rankhasa told the Sunday Express on Friday.
The Methodist High School Form C student said he kept this trip a secret from his schoolmates.
“I never told anyone at school about this trip. I just wanted to make this a surprise.
“My mates only found about this when the school announced it last week,” the Lioli star said.
Things were however different for Tlali. The boy could hardly contain himself. “I am still confused as we are talking.
“This is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I just can’t wait to meet my favourite player, Frank Lampard,” the Liphakoe United star said.
Just like Rankhasa, all Tlali wants to do in England is to showcase Lesotho’s talent and impress talent scouts.
“When I get there I want to meet Lampard,” Tlali said.
“Then I will work very hard during training sessions to show people there how much talent Lesotho has.
“I have seen how most countries take Lesotho for granted when it comes to football and I want to prove them wrong,” the ‘Maseribane High School student said.
Lesotho has very few players playing their trade outside the country. The few who are based outside Lesotho are playing in lower leagues.
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