23 Mar 2023

Botswana will face Equatorial Guinea in the Total Energies AFCON qualifier at Estadio de Malabo tonight.

Botswana, at the bottom of the log with one point,  is in Group K with Tunisia, Equatorial Guinea and Libya. A win away for the Zebras will give them confidence to continue fighting for a qualification spot.

Head coach, Mogomotsi Mpote, has called all the tried and tested players who have been doing well in their leagues.

Mpote said he was cognizant of the fact that they were entering the lion’s den, but he was confident that his players would come to the party and orchestrate a win or draw.

He said they prepared well for the clash during a camp in Morocco and that they managed to watch their opponent’s footages to see their strengths and weaknesses.

He said the squad was injury free although Thero Setsile had a knock, but started training on Monday.

“All the players are ready for selection and morale is very high as all the players are looking forward to the game,” he added.

One one hand, the National Thunder coach, Juan Micha Obiang, did not leave anything to chance as his squad is dominated by foreign-based players.

There is the Greece based striker, Juan Jose Etoa, Spain-based Emillo Nsue Lopez as well as Iban Salvador Edu who, if left unchecked, could cause havoc in the Zebras defence.

However, captain Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Mothusi Johnson and Thato Kebue are well travelled and experienced defenders who will be expected to dose the flames of the Thunder.

The return leg is scheduled for March 28 at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown. ends