Botswanian asylum seeker lines out for Roscrea RFC
On Sunday 8th December last, the Roscrea senior team were victorious against Athboy in their scheduled Leinster League Division 3 fixture. At the halfway mark of the season they entered the Christmas break sitting top of the league having won all nine of their games.
During the second half with the game still in the balance, Roscrea brought on as a substitute, a newly registered player by the name of Phenyo Ketsitlile who duly helped the team hold on for the win.
Phenyo, or Rob, as he is now called by his new teammates is from the African state of Botswana and has come to Ireland as a guest of the state and is seeking asylum while living in direct provision in the village of Dunkerrin. He cannot legally work, as is the law, but he wants to contribute and find a way to integrate into what he hopes will someday be his home.
Roscrea senior team Head Coach John Maher recalled his first contact with Phenyo, remembering the phone call and interesting request to join the team. He immediately offered to collect Phenyo and drive him to training himself.
“When he arrived that first night it was a bit of a novelty for the other players, but they very quickly discovered that Phenyo could actually play,” Maher said.
“They welcomed him with open arms, the lads were brilliant and were delighted to meet him and hear his story”.
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