All eyes on moRae-Rae
As Botswana’s national team, the Zebras gear up for their World Cup qualifiers, all eyes are on Brandon James Wilson, commonly known as Rice. The 26-year-old central midfielder, who currently plays for Hanoi FC in Vietnam, is set to make his debut for the Botswana Senior Men’s team on November 16 against Mozambique.
However, Wilson’s selection has sparked a debate among football enthusiasts, with opinions divided on his capabilities and suitability for the national team.
One of the main points raised by critics is Wilson’s Australian background, which has led some to question his eligibility to represent Botswana, however by virtue of being born in the country, Wilson is eligible to play for Botswana. This has fueled the argument that there are more deserving local players who should be given the opportunity to play for the national team. Comparisons have even been drawn to Bobby Shilinde, a player with no football background who was controversially called up to the national team in the past.
Despite the doubts surrounding Wilson’s selection, some have taken a more optimistic stance, basing their opinions on the player’s performance videos available on platforms like YouTube.
These videos showcase Wilson’s abilities in terms of his positional play, work rate, strength, tackling, short passing, long passing, and long-range shots. However, YouTube videos can be deceiving, as they often highlight only the positive aspects of a player’s game while glossing over weaknesses.
Ultimately, the hope is that Coach
Da Rosa has a clear vision for Wilson and believes he can contribute to the team’s success.
The coach’s decision to include him in the squad suggests that he sees potential in the midfielder and believes he can make an impact on the field.
Time will tell whether Wilson can prove his critics wrong and justify his selection for the national team.
As the World Cup qualifiers approach, all eyes will be on the midfielder to see how he adapts to international football and whether he can live up to the expectations placed upon him.