Mamelodi Sundowns teenager Kutlwano Letlhaku says he was ‘scared’ before coming on for his FIFA Club World Cup debut, overawed by the occasion against one of the biggest clubs in the world, Borussia Dortmund.
The 19-year-old joined up with the Sundowns squad in the United States of America, fresh after winning the U20 Africa Cup of Nations with Amajita and got his chance, grabbing an assist for Lebo Mothiba’s goal in the 4-3 loss to the German giants.
ALSO READ: Ribeiro – We Don’t Come Here To Change…
What Downs Need To Qualify, How Much They Could Earn
As the youngest player to feature for the club in the tournament so far, the talented winger admits the sheer size of Germany defender Niklas Süle was slightly intimidating when he ran onto the field for captain Themba Zwane as a second half susbtitute.
“I was nervous, and I was scared entlek [actually], I was scared to play against them, but coach came to me and told me that he’s thinking of putting me in, I shouldn’t have pressure and just enjoy the football, so it made me feel calm to play,” he said.
“Dortmund is a very big team in the world, so playing against them was a huge thing for me – and one thing happened, it was when I went in, I went straight to Süle, then I looked up and thought, yoh, this guy is huge.
“So, it made me feel I have to work very hard to be here, so getting that assist was just a cherry on top, I must just be grateful.”
The former School of Excellence starlet also revealed his appreciation for head coach Miguel Cardoso with entrusting him with an opportunity on the global stage – which was evidently repaid thus far.
“Coach said maybe I can give him something, so he trusts me, and he said Themba is a big tired so maybe I can go in and help the team, so I was just… I was just grateful to him that’s why I went up to him and hugged him for giving me the opportunity.”
Did you know that the iDiski Times Digital Newspaper is completely free! Download it now by clicking the button below or fill in the form to have it sent to you every week.
