03 Jun 2024

Senior national football team, Zebras has left for Uganda for a date with The Cranes of Uganda in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Friday.

Zebras will then proceed to face Ocean Stars of Somalia next week  Monday in a game that will be played in Mozambique because Somalia does not have a CAF accredited stadium. 

Zebras is in Group G with Algeria, Guinea, Uganda, Mozambique, and Somalia.

 The team is currently on position two with three points, position three is Guinea with three points. Position four and five is occupied by Uganda and Mozambique at three points also, while at the bottom of the log is Somalia who are yet to win a game.

Zebras played two games and won against Guinea 1-0 courtesy of Kabelo Seakanyeng’s 79th minute strike, and they lost 3-2 against Mozambique, and Zebras goals were netted by Molaodi Tlhalefang and Mogakolodi Ngele. Both the national team coach Didier Gomes da Rosa and players knows the importance of winning the two games away.

Da Rosa said in an interview before the team’s departure that they were playing against a very good side, Uganda, ranked 92 in World.

The coach said the opponent was a good team with technical ability, adding that their squad, had one of the best player in Africa who is 18 years.

In that regard, he said they had been working on their tactical solution to overcome some of The Cranes dangerous players. “And this means we have to change our defensive and attacking organisation, but I am satisfied with the time I had with the players in camp, and the players seem to understand very well my expectation,” he said.

According to Da Rosa it was ideal to spend more time with the players on camp and work on the tactical process. He said The Cranes was not a closed book to them. He said Kabelo Seakanyeng and Tumisang Orebonye would join the rest of the team in Uganda given that they had other commitments.

 

The squad 

Goal Keepers: Goitseone Phoko (Jwaneng Galaxy),Kabelo Dambe (Township Rollers), Tabo Motswagole (Gaborone, United)

Defenders:Mosha Gaolaolwe ,Motsholetsi Sikele (Township Rollers), Tebogo Kopelang(Security Systems), Thatayaone Ditlhokwa (Kaizer Chiefs), Obakeng Senono (Masitaoka),Alford Velaphi , (Gaborone United) Benson Mangolo (Ihefu Tanzania). Midfielders:Gape Mohutsiwa (Aso-Chlef -Algeria),Olebogeng Ramotse (Masitaoka),Godiraone Modingwane (BDF XI),Phenyo Serameng (Township Rollers)Koketso Majafi , Gape Thibedi (Orapa United),Gilbert Baruti (Jwaneng Galaxy)

Attackers: Tumisang Orebonye (ASFAR - Rabat Morocco), Kabelo Seakanyeng (OC-Khourigba Morocco), Molaodi Tlhalefang , (Gaborone United)Thabang Sesinyi (Jwaneng Galaxy),Thabiso Bante (TAFIC), Segolame Boy (Township Rollers), Oarabile Sekwai (Police XI). ENDS