06 Mar 2023

Zebras coach Mogomotsi Mpote has announced the squad, which will face Equatorial Guinea in the AFCON qualifiers to be played in Equatorial Guinea on March 24.

The Zebras will host Equatorial Guinea in a return match game at Obed Itani Stadium on March 28.

The Zebras are at the bottom of Group J and out of the two games played,they drew one game and lost one.

At the top of the log is Tunisia with four points, followed by Equatorial Guinea and Libya with three points each.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, Mpote said the players would report for camp next week Sunday.

He said he was confident with the arsenal of players he had called as they knew what it took to represent their country.

The coach said this time around selection of the players was smooth, given that the league was on-going and he had an opportunity to access the players during their league games.

“Although sometimes it is very difficult to get all the players one wanted due to injuries, in terms of the physical aspect it is better looking at the players who play week in and week out,” he said.

Mpote said the intention was to hold Equatorial Guinea to a draw in their own backyard, and beat them at Obed Itani Stadium.

He said was happy that Botswana Football Association (BFA) had given the support,, adding that before landing in Equatorial Guinea, the team would first camp in Morocco for acclimatization.

“We report for camp on March 12, and we will be leaving on March 13 for Morocco, and we have proposed to have a game on March 17, we will also look for strong teams that will help us to check our tactical aspect,” he said.

The Squad is as follows:

Goalkeepers

Goitseone Phoko - (Gaborone United), Lesenya Malapela- (Orapa United) Ezekiel Morake - (Ethiopian Coffee SC).

Defenders

Kitso Mangolo Moagi Sechele (Jwaneng Galaxy), Mosha Gaolaolwe (Township Rollers), Thato Kebue (Orapa United), Alford Velaphi, Mothusi Johnson (Gaborone United) Tebogo Kopelang (Security Systems), Thatayaone Ditlhokwe (SuperSport United)

Midfielders

Lemogang Maswena, Gofaone Mabaya (Orapa United), Mothusi Cooper, Lebogang Ditsele (Gaborone United), Phenyo Serameng (Township Rollers)

Strikers

Thabang Sesinyi (Jwaneng Galaxy), Omaatla Kebatho (Orapa United), Thatayaone Kgamanyane, Onkabetse Makgantai Thero Setsile, (Gaborone United), Mbatshi Elias (Township Rollers), Kabelo Seakanyeng (Olympic Club De Khouribga), Tumisang Orebonye (USM Alger). ENDS