Modubi ready to draw on Chelsea experience

By Siyabonga Mahlaba

Masilo Modubi can brag that he has rubbed shoulders with some of the best players in world soccer.

Few players of his age can say they've been guided by Claudio Ranieri and has called for the ball from internationals Frank Lampard, Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink and Juan Sebastian Veron.

Well, this was the case for Modubi three seasons back when he spent six months at leading English club Chelsea as a reserve team player training with the first team once a week.

"It was a fantastic experience for me, one I'll cherish forever," the Amaglug-glug player says.

"There's so much class about the players at training in England and it's increased my ambitions to become a regular for Chelsea one day."

Modubi emerged from the School of Excellence where his talents were spotted by the English Premiership champions after the Milk Cup youth tournament five years ago.

After failing to obtain an international passport to play for Chelsea, his career took another turn with a loan to Belgian club FC Westerlo, although the past two seasons have not been kind to him.

"I played a number of games in my first season in Belgium but in the last campaign I've been struggling with injuries. I hope to regain a regular place in the team next season," he explained.

Right now, though, he's firmly focused on helping South Africa in their mission to form a formidable Under-23 team ahead the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The 21-year-old reckons the current Amaglug-glug team is capable of qualifying for the tournament in Asia two years from now.

"This new team is coming together nicely but we need all our best players available from now on - guys like Daine Klate and Lebohang Mokoena - so we can get the right combinations going."

On the basis of his display for Amaglug-glug in the two depressing encounters against Mali last week, Modubi looked every bit the part of a midfield playmaker and he should become a permanent fixture in coach Steve Komphela's line-up.

"I hope my experience from playing in Europe will help the team reach new heights and ensure that we do well in the upcoming games."

Amaglug-glug have suffered from a goal drought recently and Modubi believes the team's forwards need more game time at their clubs. "Many of these players hardly feature for their clubs and don't get regular practice to work on their composure and finishing inside the 18-yard area."

"Scoring goals is a major problem for us. If we can fix this the team will be unstoppable."

Amaglug-glug meet Senegal (Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium, 8pm SA time) on Thursday in the second phase of their African Safari trip.

- Siyabonga Mahlaba is in Senegal as a guest of Sasol and the South African Football Association.