I never gave up on my Likuena dream: Chaba

LCS goalkeeper Tankiso Chaba says he never gave up on his dream of representing his country after getting his first call up in 2018 but fell down the perking order until recently.

Chaba was handed his first call-up by then Likuena coach  Moses Maliehe for matches against Tanzania and Cape Verde during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers campaign.

However, it took over four years for the goalkeeper to finally win his first cap in the recent FIFA international friendly match against Ethiopia played in Adama.

“Honestly, it was very fulfilling moment. I have been waiting for this opportunity to represent my country at the international stage since getting my first call in 2018,” Chaba revealed.

“Playing at that level is completely different to what I have experienced throughout the years at club level. I have learnt a lot and feel like I’m a completely different player now.”

The goalminder is loving the experience learning from Sekhoane Moerane and Monaheng Ramalafane, who have both been part of the national team setup for the last three year.

“I’m loving every moment working with them and our goalkeeper coach Sam ‘Dida’ Ketsekile. It’s been amazing honestly to be part of a group that is supportive to one another,” the goalkeeper said.

“They did not see me as a threat and were supportive from day one though we are competing for one position. I’m learning a lot from them as they have been playing international football for a long time before me

“We are all learning and supporting Moerane because he is the one that has been playing in most of our recent games. The unity in the goalkeeping department is amazing honestly, so much that I wish they were also teammates at club level,” he said.

Chaba expressed his gratitude to the Likuena technical team for believing in his abilities to finally win his first cap in an international friendly against Ethiopia.

“Coach ‘Dida’ has been pushing us a lot in training because he wants to see improvement in our game and I feel very blessed because not only do I get to work with him in the national team, but even at club level.

“As for coach Veselin, I have realised that he is a perfectionist. He wants to see his players improving with each training session and I’m honoured to be part of this group of players,” he said.