AFCON2012 Diphetogo“Dipsy”Selolwane–I am done with international football after this tournament

He scored Botswana’s first ever goal at the Africa Cup of Nations finals a day after he turned 34 and he has so often spoken of as the best player Botswana has produced to date.  Diphetogo “Dipsy”  Selolwane converted a penalty kick the second time round to equalise for Botswana against Guinea during an Orange Africa Cup of Nations Group D match played on 28^th January in Gabonese city of Franceville. The baby-faced player affectionately known as Dipsy spoke to Cafonline.com   and broke the news that this tournament is where it will all end for his illustrious international career with the Zebras. “l was going to hang up my boots for national team duties after our last match at Orange Africa Cup of Nations 2012” said the soft spoken midfielder.

Botswana takes on Mali in their last Group D match in Libreville and although the Zebras lost their first two games they are not mathematically out of the tournament as yet.  The veteran midfielder missed first game against Ghana and having played against Guinea he will be available for selection for the Mali game and he said he would like to go out with a bang.

Dipsy  is currently playing his club football in the South African Premier Soccer League with Super Sport United and he first played for his country in 1999 has been part of the Zebras set-up ever since. “I believe l have served my country well and done my part for my country and its time for me to leave and let the emerging young talent take over. At 34 l would like to travel less as one tends to do with national team duties instead l am looking to stay at my club and fight for my place in the team and try and prolong my playing career.” said Dipsy

“It has been a privilege to play for my country and l was lucky to have long career and crown it all with an appearance at the continent’s biggest competition the Africa Cup of Nations. Against Mali we want to finish our group game on a high and show that we have talent in Botswana. We know our league back home is still at amateur level and her e we have had to contend with professional players, so it has been a learning curve for us”  

“I want to play well against Mali and thereafter will make myself available to support and assist the Zebras as they seek to make it a successive appearance at Africa Cup of Nations 2013 next year in South Africa but that will be in another capacity not as a player. I believe in this current team that we brought to these finals and l am confident coach Stanley Tshosane and the boys will do well in the quest to qualify for next year’s finals.” Concluded Dipsy.

So as Botswana lines up against Mali on the 1^st of February Dipsy will be singing the national anthem one last time in his Zebra colours ready for the swan song! All hail to a fantastic player.