25 Sep 2024

Ma 2000’ will have an opportunity to watch Zebras legends amongst them Itumeleng 'Tumie' Duiker, Mmoloki 'BB' Sechele, Joshua 'Jojo' Mogotsi and Tshepiso 'Sox' Molwantwa in action as they will lock horns with their South African counterparts on Independence Day.

Speaking at the press conference on Tuesday, the Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare said it was a norm that during the Independence celebration, Botswana organises a football match to seal the day’s celebration.

He said this year, they found it prudent to look back and have the legends play against their Bafana Bafana counterparts.

Rakgare said South Africans and Batswana are one people, adding that during their liberation struggle, Botswana played a big role in accommodating and helping some South Africans on transit to other countries during their liberation struggle.

Zebras legend, Diphetogo ‘Dipsy’ Selolwane said he started playing for Zebras while it was called the ‘Whipping Boys of Africa’.

He said the narrative changed after the players themselves vowed that they would be the generation to make it to AFCON, despite all the challenges they faced.

Selolwane therefore urged other legends to come out and help in the development of football, adding that it was through unity that the game would grow in the country.

He said the Zebras legends team is made up of amongst others Kagiso Tshelametsi, Mogogi Gabonamong, Tshepo Motlhabankwe, Keoagetse 'Barnes' Radipotsane, Phadza Butale, Ernest Amos, Masego Ntshingane, Joel Mogorosi, Phenyo Mongala, and a special addition in Bonang Othagile who is the former Mares captain.

South African legend, Doctor ‘16V’ Khumalo said both the legends should send a message and acknowledge that the game has evolved.

“If we are going to be only focusing only on male legends, we are behind because our counterparts in Africa are talking women’s football very seriously,” he said.

Khumalo said now they would have to use the legends games to sensitise the SADC region to respect women’s football.

“And that’s the reason why I say we are going to bring Banyana Banyana legend, Portia Modise, as part of our team,” he said.

Khumalo said they would want to also drive Gender Based Violence (GBV) message during the Botswana Independence day “to say we wouldn’t be celebrating Independence if it was not of women,” he said.

He said they had wanted to bring most of the 1996 Bafana Bafana players that won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) but some will not manage because of ill health while others had work commitments.

Some have since departed this world like Phil Masinga and John ‘Shoes’ Mosoeu, among others.

He said the team would be made up of amongst others, Edward Motale, Tebogo Mokwena, Jerry Skhosana, Molefi Ntsoelenge, Aron Mokoena, Themba Mguni, Katlego Mphela, Tshepo Masilela, Mthokozizi Yende and Portia Modise. ENDS