Chiefs’ Under-17 prolific striker, Andile “Eto’o” Nqabeni has expressed his disappointment after they failed to qualify for the semifinals of 2010 Gauteng Future Champions Tournament having conceded five goals during the group stages.

The young Amakhosi beat Tshwane Select side 5-2 in the opening game, won 2-0 against Team Dublin but conceded three goals against Shandong Luneng at Meadowlands Stadium on Wednesday.

One of the Amakhosi’s brightest talents, Andile Nqabeni, believes that they were unlucky as a team. “We believed that we had what it takes to win the tournament. We had worked very hard, training in the rain. The team has character and I believe a lot more is still to come, despite our failure to make it to the semifinal,” said the visibly disappointed young striker speaking to kaizerchiefs.com on Thursday morning.

“Everyone is disappointed as we wanted to make the country proud. We have a game tomorrow (Friday) where we are playing for the play-offs, so we will be looking at finishing strongly. The tournament itself has been a learning curve to all of us.

I enjoyed the game against Team Dublin as they put the ball on the ground and were prepared to play. The Chinese were a bit negative, kicking the ball up field. They were dangerous on set pieces and we could not match them. If there is one area I feel we need to improve -- it is our defence. It is very important that we do not lose shape at the back when we score, but I am sure we will be even better in the next tournament,” said Eto’o.

It was development coach, Ntsie Maphike, who brought the youngster to Shaft 17 (Development base) back in 2007.

“I am grateful to Coach Maphike and all the development coaches for all their support. He spotted me while I was playing for Bush Bucks in the Nike Under-15 tournament and invited me to come to trials, which I passed. I stayed with him for a year before moving to Shaft 17. I believe that the only way to repay him is to score goals and continue to be disciplined,” he said, adding that he is hoping to add to the two goals he has scored in the tournament so far.

His goal against Team Dublin on Tuesday could be one of the best in the tournament thus far. Eto’o collected the ball just outside the 18-area box and beat two defenders before placing the ball in the back of the net, leaving the goalkeeper helpless.

“I always want to score goals and I feel I am getting better and better as the tournament progresses. It would be nice to get another goal tomorrow but the team always come first to me,” added Nqabeni.