He started playing football in the dusty streets of Dithabaneng ,in the village called Phokeng Rustenburg as a young boy.He would make a playing field back yard of his home and invited friends from different sections around ,told us would be 2Rands to play the game the whole Day especially in school holidays, then he moved to Lagoon Fc,first went watch their games till he met the man the called coach Gideon Ratsie ,who was the coach and the owner of that club,he was 7 years old by that time.The man developed him,happily said Basically he called that man his father in this game (football), because he gave him an opportunity to showcase his talent at tender age and taught him some basics through grassroots ,also he played him as a left back and moved him to left wing until he made him a top man,the man would play anywhere of the field to an extent to be a goalkeeper when they crisis ,but his mom was against it ,she was not really happy him playing as a goalkeeper, she had to let him play because his dad was a huge Pirates fan and believed that he should play football and go play for Ezimnyama ,that was his motivation to the game. Later his mom joined his Dad add push and support him to persuade his dream and she s’ been his pillar of strength since he finished matric.Luckily after he finished his matric ,he was spotted by the Legendary Allen Freeze to play for Platinum Stars Academy under 19 side where was selected with the likes of Mwenya Chibwe Currently With Polokwane City Fc in Glad Africa and Zambian National Team ,that’s where he was introduced in Pro Football set up at the age of 17.Thapelo also told us ,his father played a huge part to become a football player ,basically he inspired him back home in a village called Mokgalwaneng ,people would tell him how his father Meleko Jonathan Zimba,the man known as Chencha Guluva,was a star inside the field of play.People would tell him how he had powerful shots both feet ,insisted wanted to have that kind of respect in their Community Regarding football just like his dad.As a hard worker his father would wake him up to do extra training before going to school, so he can stay fit also not lose much when is not attending training, because sometimes when he skipped training would lose a lot and affected his game ,Continued said also the situation played a part for him so he can reach his heights.He wished for him that’s why he still fight till today he hope wherever ,he is proud of him .Regarding his football journey, he told us football taught him to be able to work with different kind of people, also taught him to respect and most importantly taught him to be patient because is not easy to reach where you want to be,but it helps having people like Tsholofelo Teko the General Modise to look up to,concerning Patience and dedication in the game.Thapelo happily said if you focus as a football player ,is possible to be in the situation Teko Modise is in regarding his Success ,that’s why sometimes he read Teko Modise S’Book the Curse of Teko Modise a lot whenever he feel like giving up.Another Big lesson for him is remain humble even during moments of praises,Because Fluctuations in this game is very common, today you can be a top ,famous and tomorrow you can be nobody, hinted its important to never loose yourself and stay humble.
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