16 Feb 2022

Mogomotsi ‘Teenage’ Mpote, the newly appointed senior national football team interim coach, aims at emulating Stanley Tshosane by qualifying the team to the Africa Nations Cup (AFCON) in Ivory Coast next year.

Tshosane etched his name indelibly across the hearts of Batswana by qualifying the national team to its maiden continental tournament in Gabon in 2012 against all expectations.

Mpote is also an experienced coach having sat on the bench of several clubs and the national team.

“As coaches entrusted by people who believe in our abilities and capabilities, we are willing to assume the role to coach the national team,“ he said in a recent interview.

As he rallies the Zebras to war, the former TASC mentor said he did not mind constructive criticism and did not want to promise Batswana a smooth ride to Africa’s premier tournament.

“Let’s hit the ground running,” was all that the Zebras coach asked for from stakeholders.

Mpote is no green horn to the BFA demanding job as the Orapa United coach once led the Zebras to a silver medal in the COSAFA games, going down to Zambia in 2019.

In an interview, Mpote said coaching was a calling for him and he thanked Botswana Football Association for showing confidence in his abilities. The former Township Rollers mentor will rely on his previous exploits in Africa at both club and national level.

He was assistant coach to Nicola Kavazovic at Rollers when they travelled the continent on club assignments and he amassed experience that will come in handy.

At Orapa United, Mpote has travelled to Rwanda, Gabon and Cameroon in search of glory for the Ostriches.

Mpote’s first huddle will be against Eritrea in the preliminary round of the qualifying stage next month. He is expected to navigate the Zebras ship out of the qualifying rounds and into the group stages.

Mpote has been in the BFA set-up since 2007 to 2012 when he worked with the Under 20 team.

“I have worked with the BFA for a very long time and they used to call me when they encountered challenges,” said Mpote. ENDS