Tumisang Orebonye: Overcoming Against Adversity to Reach for the Stars

Born and raised in the village of Lecheng in the Central District that lies about 20 km east of Palapye at the western end of the mighty Tswapong Hills, Orebonye faced immense challenges early in his life, losing both his parents at a young age.

An extraordinary six months

However, fuelled by his passion for soccer and the unwavering support of his family, he emerged as a rising star and recently experienced an extraordinary six months of his career at USM Alger, the red and black football team of the inner suburbs of Algiers that was founded in 1937.

Growing up in the dusty streets of Lecheng, Orebonye developed a deep love for football from a tender age. “I used to play a lot with my peers, mostly using makeshift balls made from plastic bags,” he told this publication in an telephone interview. “My love for football grew more as the years went by. I played for school teams from primary level. I think I was also motivated by the fact that I come from a football family.”

However, tragedy struck in 2010 when Orebonye lost his father while he was doing Form 1, navigating the challenges of adolescence. “This is the person who was instrumental in shaping my development and his untimely demise left an indelible mark on my life,” he said.

Tragedy

Tragedy would strike again when the lad was in Form 4 – his mother passed away. “She once saw me playing and witnessed my passion for soccer and had no doubt that I would achieve great success in the sport,” he said.

After completing his secondary school education, Orebonye began his footballing career at Palapye All Stars, a team in Botswana’s lower division leagues. His talent caught the attention of another Palapye-based team, Motlakase Power Dynamos, for which he played during the 2015/16 season, even though the team was ultimately relegated from the top tier league.

He played for Gaborone United from 2016 until 2018 and then moved to their archrivals, Township Rollers, where he played until 2020. Fondly known as Benteke, Orebonye joined Moroccan-based outfit, OCK, in late 2020 alongside Kabelo Seakanyeng and Simisane Mathumo.

Morocco

Together with Seakanyeng, he helped OCK gain promotion from Morocco’s Botola 2 (First Division) to the country’s elite league. He left the team earlier this year to join USM Alger in Algeria after playing 40 games during which he scored seven times and assisted six times. “I have had a very remarkable first six months at USM,” he said. “From the moment I joined the club, I understood the objective: to win the CAF Confederation Cup. Afrall, the reason they bought me was to help the club.

“One thing that helped me was that my current coach knew me from Morocco as he once coached there. All in all, the welcoming atmosphere, a united team spirit and the supportive staff at USM Alger ensured that my first six months were nothing short of amazing.”

Now 27 years old, Orebonye’s contribution to the team has been exemplary. Despite playing more CAF games than league games, he seamlessly adapted to various positions, even taking on roles he had never played before. “I have played in four different roles that I never played in before so far at the team and always adjusted quickly,” he told this publication.

Versatile

“Most of the time I was deployed as a winger on the right or left or called upon to provide support in the midfield because the coach is aware of my hard work. The coach recognised my dedication and trusted me to contribute to both defence and attack, boosting my confidence even further.”

Interestingly, Orebonye had never considered the possibility of winning the CAF Confedertion Cup. “It was a matter of taking each game as it came and gradually realising the team’s potential,” he noted. “As belief grew within the squad, I became aware of the magnitude of my personal responsibility  and achievement. I had the opportunity to become the first Motswana player to clinch such a prestigious title. However, I  consciously avoided putting excessive pressure on myself, knowing it could hinder my performance.”

When the last whistle blew during the CAF Confedration Cup final, realisation of his accomplishment and a sense of joy enveloped him. “My name echoed throughout Algeria – through the streets, on television screens and in conversations,” he said. “The respect I have earned as a player there is massive. They say they have never had a player like me in the team and the Algerian league. That gives me great joy. It is an honour not easily obtained by individuals in a foreign land.”

Offers

Orebonye has received several offers because with success comes opportunity. However, he remains content with his current situation and has two years left on his contract. In the world of football, uncertainty often reigns supreme and anything can happen. Orebonye understands this all too well and keeps an open mind about his future.

The secrets to his rise lie in discipline, self-belief and hard work. He recognises that without self-confidence, it is impossible to perform on a grand stage such as a 70,000-seater stadium. Each time he steps onto the field, he repeats the mantra that he is the best to himself, fortifying his determination and focus.

Remarkably, Orebonye played every game from the group stages to the final in his first six months at USM Alger. This serves as a testament to his unwavering determination and unyielding focus, propelling him to become an integral part of the team’s success. Behind every successful athlete, there is often a special driving force tha stands out of ohers. For Orebonye, it is his family. In the absence of his parents and sister on this temporal plane, their memory motivates him to excel and carry the family name to greater heights at every stage.