Selaelo Rasebotja (born 26 April 2001) is a South African soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Orlando Pirates in the South African Premier Division.[2]

Selaelo Rasebotja
Personal information
Date of birth (2001-04-26) 26 April 2001 (age 23)
Place of birth Mahwelereng, South Africa[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Orlando Pirates
Number 31
Youth career
2020–2021 SuperSport United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2024 SuperSport United 29 (1)
2024– Orlando Pirates 0 (0)
International career
South Africa U20
2022– South Africa 3 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 30 June 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 11 June 2023

He hails from Limpopo Province. While attending a football school of excellence, he represented South Africa U20 at the 2019 COSAFA U-20 Cup. He was signed by SuperSport United to their youth selection, being drafted into the senior team in the summer of 2021.[3] Following his debut for SuperSport United, manager Kaitano Tembo nicknamed Rasebotja "Iniesta".[4]

Rasebotja was called up to Bafana Bafana for the 2022 COSAFA Cup. Here, South Africa lost to Mozambique on penalty shootouts. In a consolation tournament known as the Plate, Butsaka scored his first international goal against Botswana.[1][5] Subsequently, SuperSport United refused to let Rasebotja or any other of their players join the South African team for the 2022 African Nations Championship qualification against Comoros, citing that the 2022-23 South African Premier Division start was too close.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b Selaelo Rasebotja at National-Football-Teams.com
  2. ^ Selaelo Rasebotja at Soccerway
  3. ^ Mahlase, Eliot (22 August 2020). "Youngster elated at joining United's first team". Rekord. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  4. ^ "Tembo Pleased With 'Iniesta's' First Start". iDiski Times. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  5. ^ Madyira, Michael (17 July 2022). "South Africa 2-1 Botswana: Bafana Bafana claim Cosafa Cup Plate final after downing Zebras". Goal.com. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  6. ^ Ditlhobolo, Austin (20 July 2022). "South Africa coach Mkhalele loses players ahead of 2022 Chan qualifier against Comoros". Goal.com. Retrieved 11 June 2023.