“They worship Serero”, says UAE-based Botswana star 

Botswana international Kabelo Seakanyeng, who recently joined Dibba Al Fujairah, is in awe of how much former Bafana star Thulani Serero is worshipped in the UAE.

Seakanyeng, who featured in Botswana’s friendly against Bafana on Tuesday, recently switched from Morocco’s Olympique de Khourigba to the UAE.

Interestingly, his Dibba debut was against Serero’s Al Jazira, a match in which the South African won 2-0.

The 32-year-old has been at Al Jazira for three seasons, inspiring the team to the UAE Pro League title and Super Cup two seasons ago.

“I played against him recently. We lost the game 2-0. It was my first game [came on as a substitute in the 40th minute]. Serero played well in that game, albeit for 73 minutes.

EXCEPTIONAL EXAMPLE

“I’ve followed him from his days at Ajax Cape Town to Vitesse and now at Al Jazira. He’s been an exceptional example for any Southern African footballer. I admire him.

“Before the match, my teammates were discussing him, saying he’s the best midfielder in the country. They worship him in the UAE,” Seakanyeng told FARPost shortly before the Bafana friendly, which Botswana lost. 

The two Southern Africans shared a moment after the game.

“Serero came to me after the game and asked me where I was from. I told him I was from Botswana, and we briefly chatted. It was great to meet him.”

Seakanyeng is the first Botswana player to ply his trade in the UAE. He was also the first in Malta, where he played before moving to Morocco. 

“I thought Morocco was a difficult league, but the UAE is on another level. They’ve invested a lot in the league. There are top players from all over the world.

“But I’m settling in one day at a time. It’s only been a month since I moved, so I’m optimistic I’ll be okay,” added the 29-year-old forward.