Renei Batlokwa

I kick a ball around for a living

[Luke O'Nien @LukeONien]

To any young kid reading this…

I’ve doubted myself in every league I’ve ever played in.

Ryman Prem.
Conference South.
League Two.
League One.
Championship…

And even right before my first Premier League start last night.

That’s not weakness.
That’s being human.

That’s being alive.

When I was growing up, I thought Premier League players were superhuman.

Like they never felt doubt.
Like they never felt nerves.

The truth is…. it’s often the opposite.

Social media won’t tell you that sometimes you step out there with no confidence. That’s normal. That’s ok!

You now have to then step out there with courage.

Confidence feels good.
Courage doesn’t.

But you do it anyway. Show courage enough times…. You build confidence.

Here’s the mindset that’s carried me for 31 years.

When it goes well:

I worked for it.
I earned it.
Well done.
Watch it back.
Get better.

When it doesn’t:

I know I prepared the best I could.
It didn’t go exactly to plan. That’s football.

But Well done.
Watch it back.
Get better.

That simple recipe gave me a special moment last night.

Leading the team out.
Playing alongside a group that fights for every ball.
Celebrates tackles.
Gives everything for the city of Sunderland.

And sharing it with supporters who never gave up, even after four tough seasons in League One.

So if you’re a young player feeling doubt…
Low confidence…
Or like you don’t believe in yourself…

You’re not alone.

Every player feels it.

Confidence isn’t something you’re given.

It’s something you build.

Bit by bit.
Day by day.
With courage.
With work.
With learning.

Anything worth building takes time.

But that’s what makes it so worthwhile!

Thank you @SunderlandAFC ❤️🤍

[Renei Batlokwa @reneibat]

@unasean_

[Renei Batlokwa @reneibat]

@dan_blewett @DanOgunshakin @WeAreBFA @TotalAFCON2025 😂😎

[Dan Ogunshakin @DanOgunshakin]

Day 8️⃣ of 2️⃣4️⃣ of our #AFCON 'advent calendar' series.

Introducing @WeAreBFA aka Botswana 🇧🇼aka the Mighty Zebras 🦓💪🏽 is @reneibat

We a third of the way through our 2️⃣4️⃣ teams! The countdown to @TotalAFCON2025 continues tomorrow. ⬇️ #AFCON

[BBC World Service Sport @BBCWSSport]

🇧🇼 'This is our time '

The countdown to @CAF_Online #AFCON is on and @reneibat introduces us to @WeAreBFA's 'Mighty Zebras' 🦓

Meet the teams competing for the 2025 title 🏆🎞️https://t.co/M9FEfGo2xH

[Stuart Watkinson @stuboy_LXXIII]

@Bowerspitseafc @reneibat Filthy rainbow flick to earn the peno, great performance @reneibat best yet in a bowers shirt 👏👏👏

[Renei Batlokwa @reneibat]

@Bowerspitseafc 🙌🏽❤️

[Renei Batlokwa @reneibat]

@askdepop can I get help regarding my account

[Renei Batlokwa @reneibat]

@NormanWabo10 🤝🙌🏽 Let’s go!

[Africa Facts Zone @AfricaFactsZone]

Africa's only Ballon d'Or winner, President George Weah at the age of 56.

[Renei Batlokwa @reneibat]

Lord continue to guide me and protect me, thank you!

[Renei Batlokwa @reneibat]

Congrats bro! 🙌🏽

[Richard A Taylor @RichardTaylor5_]

Delighted to sign at @saintmirrenfc can’t wait to get started and hit the ground running,

Special mention to @syncglobalsport for getting this over the line

[Renei Batlokwa @reneibat]

@NormanWabo10 🤔🤔🤔

[Renei Batlokwa @reneibat]

@Tomi_Faye What about cargo/trousers?

[Kam #8🏁 @Culturecams]

Football won today. Best final ever. Best world cup ever. Mbappe Hattrick. Messi’s crowning moment. As a neutral. THATS PERFECTION.

[Renei Batlokwa @reneibat]

El Rey

[Renei Batlokwa @reneibat]

This is football

[NW @NormanWabo10]

This is the best match I’ve ever watched.

[Renei Batlokwa @reneibat]

MESSSSSI MESSSIII MMMESSSIII