Since his acrobatic goal against Orlando Pirates made headlines in November, Baroka goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke has been fielding calls, some as early as 6am, and the 24 year-old is not coping with the high volumes. Tiyani wa ka Mabasa was among a lucky few that got through to the Fifa Goal of the Year nominee.
Question: Being the first ever African into the final three for the Puskas Award, and the first goalkeeper ever to reach this stage, how do you feel?
Answer: Ni twa ni tsake ngopfu, swa kala (I'm very happy, it's rare). It takes time for these kind of things to happen in Africa. I thank God for what He's done for me, plus those that have voted for me.
Q: What's the reaction like from your home in N'wamankena village in Giyani?
A: Nothing has changed. We still treat each other the same way we used to and they've been behind me, some telling me they have voted for me.
Q: Surely every media house wants to talk to you. How are you coping with all the calls?
A: It starts at 6am and some call me while I'm still sleeping, but I understand that there's a lot they want to know about me. Even as I talk to you, there are calls coming in.
Q: Talking about your goal, it's unusual what you did. Is it because you were a striker at amateur level for Jackson Youth Stars?
A: I was going there to score, that's the truth. Swilo i ku ti byela (things happen when you are committed to the cause). If you believe you can do it and you see that people, your teammates, are struggling so you have to help. I was only a striker from 2011 to 2012 for Jackson, but I changed to goalkeeper when I went to Winners Park [in the second division].
Q: Your father Ben was a striker, right?
A: Yeah, that's true. He played for Noblehoek All Stars [in Limpopo], but I happened to be a goalkeeper.
Q: Do you think your goal can beat your fellow Puskas nominees - Oliver Giroud's scorpion goal for Arsenal and Deyna Castellanos' effort from halfway line for Venezuela's girls U-17?
A: They scored as infield players, but look where I came from [as a goalkeeper]. They scored good goals but I think my goal was special.
Q: The awards will be held in London on October 23, have you ever been overseas?
A: No, I've never been out of South Africa. It will be nice to experience other countries.
Q: Big-name players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will be there, so you must be looking forward to rubbing shoulders with them.
A: They are also looking forward to meeting Oscarine Masuluke, the goalkeeper who scored a bicycle kick [goal].
Q: Some people believe your goal should have won the PSL Goal of the Season award last season ahead of that by Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala. What do you say?
A: The thing is, people don't look at the goal when they vote; they vote for who they love or where that player comes from. Also, some people were just saying Oscarine should win, but didn't vote for the goal. So I'm not going to blame anyone. It's fine.
Baroka's Masuluke confident of lifting Fifa 'Oscar'
Since his acrobatic goal against Orlando Pirates made headlines in November, Baroka goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke has been fielding calls, some as early as 6am, and the 24 year-old is not coping with the high volumes. Tiyani wa ka Mabasa was among a lucky few that got through to the Fifa Goal of the Year nominee.
Question: Being the first ever African into the final three for the Puskas Award, and the first goalkeeper ever to reach this stage, how do you feel?
Answer: Ni twa ni tsake ngopfu, swa kala (I'm very happy, it's rare). It takes time for these kind of things to happen in Africa. I thank God for what He's done for me, plus those that have voted for me.
Q: What's the reaction like from your home in N'wamankena village in Giyani?
A: Nothing has changed. We still treat each other the same way we used to and they've been behind me, some telling me they have voted for me.
Q: Surely every media house wants to talk to you. How are you coping with all the calls?
A: It starts at 6am and some call me while I'm still sleeping, but I understand that there's a lot they want to know about me. Even as I talk to you, there are calls coming in.
Q: Talking about your goal, it's unusual what you did. Is it because you were a striker at amateur level for Jackson Youth Stars?
A: I was going there to score, that's the truth. Swilo i ku ti byela (things happen when you are committed to the cause). If you believe you can do it and you see that people, your teammates, are struggling so you have to help. I was only a striker from 2011 to 2012 for Jackson, but I changed to goalkeeper when I went to Winners Park [in the second division].
Q: Your father Ben was a striker, right?
A: Yeah, that's true. He played for Noblehoek All Stars [in Limpopo], but I happened to be a goalkeeper.
Q: Do you think your goal can beat your fellow Puskas nominees - Oliver Giroud's scorpion goal for Arsenal and Deyna Castellanos' effort from halfway line for Venezuela's girls U-17?
A: They scored as infield players, but look where I came from [as a goalkeeper]. They scored good goals but I think my goal was special.
Q: The awards will be held in London on October 23, have you ever been overseas?
A: No, I've never been out of South Africa. It will be nice to experience other countries.
Q: Big-name players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will be there, so you must be looking forward to rubbing shoulders with them.
A: They are also looking forward to meeting Oscarine Masuluke, the goalkeeper who scored a bicycle kick [goal].
Q: Some people believe your goal should have won the PSL Goal of the Season award last season ahead of that by Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala. What do you say?
A: The thing is, people don't look at the goal when they vote; they vote for who they love or where that player comes from. Also, some people were just saying Oscarine should win, but didn't vote for the goal. So I'm not going to blame anyone. It's fine.
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