Tshegofatso “Ninja” Ramabu has been one of the revelations during the Gauteng Future Champions Tournament currently underway in Soweto. He was a star as young Chiefs sent Corinthians packing on Wednesday afternoon. Kaizerchiefs.com caught up with Ninja after the loss against Boca Juniors.

Ninja hard luck to you and your teammates for the loss against Boca…

(Keeps quiet for a while) Thanks…we are all very disappointed about the loss. Thing is we scored first and we allowed them to come back into the game. It went to penalties and there, the game can go to either side. We are now focusing on our game against Inter Milan tomorrow.

Football Manager, Bobby Motaung and first team coach, Muhsin Ertugral addressed you and your teammates after the game…

They both told us that they were impressed with what they saw…they said they are proud of us and we should not drop our heads. It is good to see that everyone at Chiefs has been watching our progress during the tournament. It was really unfortunate that we went out on penalties but then these things happen in football.

It must be an honour for you and your teammates to face opponents of this magnitude…

It is indeed an opportunity of lifetime and I am grateful to be part of the group that made history on Wednesday by beating Corinthians. Boca was tougher today (Friday) but we did well forcing the game to go to penalties. We are up against Inter on Saturday and we have to continue doing well in all these games.

You scored a brilliant goal against Corinthians…

It is the best goal I have ever scored…I was even surprised that I scored such a beauty. I saw a space and decided to shoot. I have received lots of encouragement from my teammates and the coaches to go for more goals. I will continue to score if the defenders give me space to shoot.

What is the secret behind your lime Nike boots?

I call them “Limelight”…I am comfortable playing with them and they make it easy for me to take my opponents on. (Laughing).

You have participated in one of the tournaments abroad…

I traveled with our U13 to Korea where we played against some of the topsides in the world including Porto (Portugal). It helps to play in big tournaments with some of the best young players in the world. Growing up in Lipompo I have always wanted to play football at the highest level. This tournament has provided us to play with some of the best young players in the world.

Who are your favourite players in world football?

I am a big fan of Christiano Ronaldo. Locally, Steve Lekolea has always been one of my favourites. Currently though, I like Diane Klate from Supersport United.

You played for national U17 team ahead of the Gauteng Future Champions. How has that tournament prepared you mentally for the challenges ahead?

It was an honour to represent my country…it was my first call up to the national team. I think I did well and I came back hungrier than before and determined to lead my teammates in winning this tournament.

I am one of the senior players in this team together with Kwena Kubyane, Abraham Jacob and Vuyani Nkosi. We all played for U13s in Korea in 2005. It is my responsibility together with other guys to lead the team to the right direction.

It is rare to find a youngster speaking sense like you do…

Credit should go to my grandma who brought me up. I am where I am because of her.

What is your biggest ambition in life?

I want to play overseas and represent my country. I want to show the world that South Africa is capable of producing players who can compete at the highest level.