His name means peace, but Lamontville Golden Arrows' holding midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi does the opposite when on the pitch.
His name means peace, but Lamontville Golden Arrows' holding midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi does the opposite when on the pitch.
Humble 24-year-old Dikgacoi often causes chaos among the opposition's defenders when he is in possession.
He is one of the rare talents capable of making something out of nothing with that round object that they all chase on the pitch, not only spraying telling passes but also scoring goals in the process.
Dikgacoi is also scoring crucial goals for his club, which is supported by the fact that he is their top goal scorer on four goals in the league to date.
It did not come as a surprise when he was selected to represent Bafana Bafana at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana from January 20 to February 1.
The versatile Dikgacoi is looking forward to his second-ever medal in Ghana.
His first came when Bafana Bafana won the last edition of the Cosafa Cup in Bloemfontein in October.
He is one of the young players that coach Carlos Alberto Parreira and his technical staff are grooming to do duty for Bafana Bafana in the 2010 World Cup finals.
Sowetan's Ramatsiyi Moholoa (RM) caught up with him to talk about a variety of things - like his plans for the Afcon and where Arrows want to finish the season.
RM: KD, how does it feel to be selected to represent Bafana Bafana in Ghana less than two years after signing a professional soccer contract?
KD: I'm still celebrating my selection into Bafana Bafana and one is proud to be part of the team, it came as an early Christmas present for me.
RM: Is it something you can say came as a surprise?
KD: Not at all, it's something that was bound to happen based on my performance at club level. I also did well for Bafana Bafana before the announcement.
I was not surprised when a friend of mine called me to say my name was on the list after seeing the team to Ghana on a website.
RM: Safa president Molefi Oliphant recently said he expects Bafana Bafana to reclaim the Afcon title, do you think the team we have named can deliver?
KD: Without a shred of doubt, we have assembled a formidable team with youth and experience. We are not going to Ghana on holiday.
As for Mr Oliphant and the whole of South Africa, our plans will be to take each game as it comes so that we do not lose focus.
We are all aware that all eyes in the world are now on Bafana Bafana because South Africa will be hosting the 2010 World Cup.
It is also important for us to win the tournament in Ghana to lay a solid foundation for the 2009 Confederations Cup and World Cup preparations.
It was not a good thing that Bafana Bafana came back from the previous tournament in Egypt in 2006 without a single point and goal.
RM: Moving away from Bafana Bafana, I remember you as a young boy doing duty for Bloemfontein Young Tigers (then in the First Division) in 2005 where you had the likes of Ditheko Mototo, Patrick Malokase and Lebogang Mothibantoa as teammates.
Tell us how did you end up playing for Arrows.
KD: I take it Arrows approached Young Tigers, but I must say it was a dream come true because I always wanted to play professional soccer.
I joined Arrows late in 2005 from Young Tigers. I made my debut in the professional ranks when Arrows lost 1-2 to Kaizer Chiefs.
What makes it even more memorable for me, though we lost, is that I grew up supporting Chiefs.
I did not have a bad game for a beginner.
RM: Do you have any regrets joining Arrows?
KD: A big no because I am enjoying mysleff here playing soccer regularly, unlike at other clubs where you warm the bench until people even forget about you.
There is a strong possibility that one would not even be going to Ghana if I chose to join a so-called high profile club.
RM: I see you areArrows' top goalscorer with four goals in the Premiership, including wo when you beat Chiefs 2-1 early in December.
What are your plans for the season as a club?
KD: One has been able to score those goals because we work as a team at Arrows. As for our plans, it is our wish to finish in the top eight bracket.
RM: How do you relax?
KD: I listen to music, watch television and movies. There is very little time for soccer after a game or training session for me.
RM: Who is your favourite player in South Africa?
KD: Kaizer Chiefs' Tinashe Nengomasha. He is one of the greatest for me and I always enjoy watching him play when Chiefs are in action.
RM? What about overseas?
KD: It can only be Chelsea's Frank Lampard.
RM: Most difficult opponent?
KD: It used to be Siyabonga Nkosi until he left for Germany late last year.
RM: It is the dream of every soccer player to end up playing abroad. Tell us about yourself.
KD: Naturally, I also want to further my professional soccer career overseas, it will be great to be in England or Spain.
Being part of the Bafana Bafana squad going to Ghana is a great platform to catch the eyes of international talent scouts who will be there.
RM: You started playing soccer at a club known as Cardiss Spurs in Brandfort in the Free State, are you still part of the team in any way?
KD: There is no way I can turn my back on Cardiss, though I must emphasise that I'm not involved in the management.
I always go to watch their games when I'm back home.
RM: In conclusion, if you were not playing soccer, what is it that you wanted to become when you grew up?
KD: When I was young, I wanted to become a paramedic but I have since dropped the idea of furthering my studies after completing my Grade 12.
My focus is now on soccer, there is very little time to study.
I may reconsider my decision at a later stage and register part-time.
His name means peace but midfielder Dikgacoi is a menace on the pitch
His name means peace, but Lamontville Golden Arrows' holding midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi does the opposite when on the pitch.
His name means peace, but Lamontville Golden Arrows' holding midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi does the opposite when on the pitch.
Humble 24-year-old Dikgacoi often causes chaos among the opposition's defenders when he is in possession.
He is one of the rare talents capable of making something out of nothing with that round object that they all chase on the pitch, not only spraying telling passes but also scoring goals in the process.
Dikgacoi is also scoring crucial goals for his club, which is supported by the fact that he is their top goal scorer on four goals in the league to date.
It did not come as a surprise when he was selected to represent Bafana Bafana at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana from January 20 to February 1.
The versatile Dikgacoi is looking forward to his second-ever medal in Ghana.
His first came when Bafana Bafana won the last edition of the Cosafa Cup in Bloemfontein in October.
He is one of the young players that coach Carlos Alberto Parreira and his technical staff are grooming to do duty for Bafana Bafana in the 2010 World Cup finals.
Sowetan's Ramatsiyi Moholoa (RM) caught up with him to talk about a variety of things - like his plans for the Afcon and where Arrows want to finish the season.
RM: KD, how does it feel to be selected to represent Bafana Bafana in Ghana less than two years after signing a professional soccer contract?
KD: I'm still celebrating my selection into Bafana Bafana and one is proud to be part of the team, it came as an early Christmas present for me.
RM: Is it something you can say came as a surprise?
KD: Not at all, it's something that was bound to happen based on my performance at club level. I also did well for Bafana Bafana before the announcement.
I was not surprised when a friend of mine called me to say my name was on the list after seeing the team to Ghana on a website.
RM: Safa president Molefi Oliphant recently said he expects Bafana Bafana to reclaim the Afcon title, do you think the team we have named can deliver?
KD: Without a shred of doubt, we have assembled a formidable team with youth and experience. We are not going to Ghana on holiday.
As for Mr Oliphant and the whole of South Africa, our plans will be to take each game as it comes so that we do not lose focus.
We are all aware that all eyes in the world are now on Bafana Bafana because South Africa will be hosting the 2010 World Cup.
It is also important for us to win the tournament in Ghana to lay a solid foundation for the 2009 Confederations Cup and World Cup preparations.
It was not a good thing that Bafana Bafana came back from the previous tournament in Egypt in 2006 without a single point and goal.
RM: Moving away from Bafana Bafana, I remember you as a young boy doing duty for Bloemfontein Young Tigers (then in the First Division) in 2005 where you had the likes of Ditheko Mototo, Patrick Malokase and Lebogang Mothibantoa as teammates.
Tell us how did you end up playing for Arrows.
KD: I take it Arrows approached Young Tigers, but I must say it was a dream come true because I always wanted to play professional soccer.
I joined Arrows late in 2005 from Young Tigers. I made my debut in the professional ranks when Arrows lost 1-2 to Kaizer Chiefs.
What makes it even more memorable for me, though we lost, is that I grew up supporting Chiefs.
I did not have a bad game for a beginner.
RM: Do you have any regrets joining Arrows?
KD: A big no because I am enjoying mysleff here playing soccer regularly, unlike at other clubs where you warm the bench until people even forget about you.
There is a strong possibility that one would not even be going to Ghana if I chose to join a so-called high profile club.
RM: I see you areArrows' top goalscorer with four goals in the Premiership, including wo when you beat Chiefs 2-1 early in December.
What are your plans for the season as a club?
KD: One has been able to score those goals because we work as a team at Arrows. As for our plans, it is our wish to finish in the top eight bracket.
RM: How do you relax?
KD: I listen to music, watch television and movies. There is very little time for soccer after a game or training session for me.
RM: Who is your favourite player in South Africa?
KD: Kaizer Chiefs' Tinashe Nengomasha. He is one of the greatest for me and I always enjoy watching him play when Chiefs are in action.
RM? What about overseas?
KD: It can only be Chelsea's Frank Lampard.
RM: Most difficult opponent?
KD: It used to be Siyabonga Nkosi until he left for Germany late last year.
RM: It is the dream of every soccer player to end up playing abroad. Tell us about yourself.
KD: Naturally, I also want to further my professional soccer career overseas, it will be great to be in England or Spain.
Being part of the Bafana Bafana squad going to Ghana is a great platform to catch the eyes of international talent scouts who will be there.
RM: You started playing soccer at a club known as Cardiss Spurs in Brandfort in the Free State, are you still part of the team in any way?
KD: There is no way I can turn my back on Cardiss, though I must emphasise that I'm not involved in the management.
I always go to watch their games when I'm back home.
RM: In conclusion, if you were not playing soccer, what is it that you wanted to become when you grew up?
KD: When I was young, I wanted to become a paramedic but I have since dropped the idea of furthering my studies after completing my Grade 12.
My focus is now on soccer, there is very little time to study.
I may reconsider my decision at a later stage and register part-time.
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