Tumisang Orebonye might be considered a raw and unpolished diamond, but the man is a beast and a lethal finisher to boot. He is a physically imposing traditional number nine but not your typical John Fashanu with that bulldozing "Fash the Bash" kind of approach. He is an incredibly mobile striker, exceptionally skilful and a living nightmare to defenders. He is forever foraging. In this interview with Soccer Laduma's Thomas Kwenaite, the Botswana international reveals how being an African champion after lifting the CAF Confederation Cup with USM Alger has lifted his confidence to unprecedented levels. Although modest and humble in his answer, he is acutely aware that PSL teams are circling menacingly around him following his standout performance for the Algerian side.
Thomas Kwenaite: Congratulations on winning gold in the CAF Confederation Cup. How does it feel being an African champion?
Tumisang Orebonye: Well, I'm just so happy that we won this year's CAF Confederation Cup. It wasn't an easy task and the road to win it was even tougher, but I'm so happy that at the end we managed to get it. Being the first Motswana to win a Pan-African club competition is personally a huge achievement. I made history in Botswana and here in Algeria as well because we are the first (Algerian) team to win an African club competition.
TK: After winning the first leg 2-1 in Young Africans' backyard in Tanzania, did you expect them to come at you as hard as they did and beating you at home in the process?
TO: We knew how strong and technically good Yanga is. We also knew that it would be a different ball game to the first leg altogether because in the second leg they had nothing to lose and so naturally, we expected them to come very hard at us. That is why we had to come with a completely different plan in order to manage the expected pressure from them.
TK: You won a penalty for the team in the second half of the second leg. Tell us how you felt when Yanga goalkeeper Djigui Diarra saved the spot kick.
TO: When I won the penalty, I was like, 'Yeah, now we are on it' because all the penalty takers in our team always score, including me. Mind you, captain Zineddine Belaid had scored the last four penalties in previous games. But after Diarra had pulled off that save, I felt scared and, to be honest, I felt there was no way we were going to win it. Suddenly, I thought that if they got one more goal, we were finished. Thank God we persevered and pulled it off.
TK: You scored with a glancing header against Al Akhdar in your first start for USM. How did you feel opening your account for your club in an interclub continental competition?
TO: I have always believed in myself when playing in that position, so for me to open the account in my first start gave me even more confidence and self-belief that I can do it. I believe I have grown in leaps and bounds since that opening goal in my first start.
TK: Watching USM, one quickly detects that the team is deadly in set-piece situations. Is that something the team practises in training?
TO: Yeah, we do that a lot. We know our strength, but perfecting our set-plays has added a new dimension to our overall game. You know sometimes you can struggle to break down a team but then receive a lifeline by way of a set-piece – that is an opportunity to utilise and punish the opposition. We certainly work hard on set-pieces quite a lot and so far it has paid handsome dividends.
TK: CR Belouizdad has opened a huge gap in the league championship race, although you guys have countless games in hand. Are you capable of catching up with them?
TO: It is a difficult and very tough question to answer, but we are taking it game by game because that's certainly a huge gap. However, if we fail to catch up with them, at least we should strive to finish second and thus qualify to participate in the CAF Champions League next season.
TK: There are truly very tough games coming up, against the log leaders, second-positioned Constantine and your nemesis and rivals MC Alger.
TO: We are well-prepared for them all, even though we have so many games coming up thick and fast. In actual fact, we will be playing a match every second or third day. There just ain't time to rest or recover. We just have to manage the programme somehow.
TK: Sadly, your tight schedule will prevent you from honouring Botswana's Afcon qualifier against Libya on Saturday. Is the BFA happy about your absence?
TO: They are definitely not happy at all. However, I look at it as an opportunity for the coach to bring in other players in order for the country to have a bigger pool of international players. It is an opportunity for new players to raise their hands so that in future, it must be difficult for players to come to camp knowing instantly that they are guaranteed a place in the starting line-up.
TK: You scored a hat-trick against Lesotho. Did you know that you became only the second Motswana to achieve this after Jerome Ramatlhakwane?
TO: Thank you, and I am truly humbled. I wasn't even aware of that statistic. I just wanted to come in there and bang in the goals because I wanted to be the Top Goalscorer in the COSAFA Cup tournament. Unfortunately, we were knocked out in the group stages of the tournament.
TK: On 11 August, you play Champions' League winners Al Ahly in the CAF Super Cup. Massive game hey…
TO: Yeah, the CAF Super Cup will be a very interesting but difficult match. However, I always want to experience or get tested in such high-profile games and so I'm ready for the game and the challenge that it presents. I feel confident and want to win the Super Cup, then I will say I have truly made history and will be prouder of myself.
TK: Is this the space where you've always wanted to be when you left Botswana to seek greener pastures?
TO: With due respect, yes. I have always wanted to go out of Botswana and the comfort zone, but North Africa was certainly not in my dreams and thoughts. Now I'm here and enjoying my time and the game, thanks to God.
TK: How did you get to North Africa in the first place?
TO: My former national team coach, Mr Adel Amrouche, had people he knew in Morocco, so he suggested they come and watch one of our national team games. He told us that it was my chance to work and show him what I was capable of, adding that he trusted me and that I could not only survive but could become successful.
TK: So, how have you adapted to life up there considering that they are culturally different to our lifestyle down South?
TO: It has to do with a strong mentality, self-discipline, professionalism and being prepared to work hard. I'm conscious of the fact that being a foreigner, I have to bring something different and be better than what they have in terms of personnel. In addition, I think it has been important to change one's lifestyle and adapt to your new environment. That's all.
TK: So far, which game has been the toughest for you?
TO: I will have to say the game against FC Lupopo from the DR Congo during the group stage was the toughest in many respects. We were playing in neutral Zambia and the weather was lousy, not favourable at all and after they scored, it rained heavily, making conditions difficult. We couldn't string passe, let alone connect a pass and heaven knows we needed a positive result out of that particular game more than anything.
TK: There are rumours that two PSL teams are monitoring you.
TO: Honestly speaking, that's truly new to my ears. I have never heard or received any heads-up regarding those developments because I have not been contacted by any club from that side, to be honest with you – otherwise, I wouldn't hide such information from you, Bra T.
TK: Was the game against Marumo Gallants as tough as the 2-0 loss suggests?
TO: The Marumo Gallants game was weird when one looks at the goals that we conceded. It was all our faults and I strongly believe that we could have done much better. We gave away two silly goals because the game was not so tough, but we just could not get going or come to the party in that game. I think it was the weather because it was also too hot.
TK: After beating them in Algeria, did you expect them to put up such a fearsome display in South Africa?
TO: To be honest, we didn't think of them that much. Perhaps we underestimated them and we never really thought that they could beat us and win the home tie. Like I said, we gave them those goals on a platter.
TK: Dipsy Selolwane speaks very highly of you. Has he given you some tips about football and life in general as a legend of Botswana football?
TO: Yeah, that's my big brother that one. We are always one phone call away and if there is anything that I need, I simply call. Sometimes we need those kinds of people in our lives who have been there, done that and they know the game much more than us. We need their motivation and luckily for me, I have someone like that to confide in. He is a legend and so experienced!
TK: Your journey started at Motlakase FC. How did you then move to Gaborone United?
TO: Indeed, my journey started at Gaborone United. They signed me after the U17 Africa Cup of Nations that was held in Morocco during 2013. So, they signed me right after the tournament, but I was still attending school to complete my Matric. When I completed, I asked to be loaned out to Palapye All Stars (in the First Divison), then to Motlakase for a season and then my loan spell was completed. I guess they also felt I had gained a little experience and had been able to put some mileage under my legs and so recalled me back to GU.
TK: From there you moved to Township Rollers.
TO: I always dreamt of playing for Township Rollers because that was my boyhood club. I grew up supporting Rollers and so when the opportunity came, I didn't think twice, I accepted their offer and started playing for them where, I must confess, I had the best time of my life.
TK: Your stay at Khourigba in Morocco was short-lived. What happened?
TO: I actually played there for two-and-a-half years. The first year I helped the team to win promotion back to the top division. The second year we barely managed to keep the Premiership spot. However, during the third year, I had wanted to move because I was left with six months on my contract and I needed a change.
TK: Authorities in Algeria sometimes limit the number of spectators at your international games. Do you know why?
TO: I honestly have no idea. But sometimes I suspect that maybe it's something that has to do with safety.
TK: What are your aims and objectives going forward?
TO: First things first, I want to win the CAF Super Cup, then the rest will follow. I am at my happiest here and still have two more years to run on my contract with USMA. However, I will not rule out the possibility of moving should a good offer land on my lap.
TK: Thank you, Tumi.
TO: You are most welcome, Bra T.
