DIAMOND ZEBRAS OPTIMISTIC AHEAD OF MALAWI CLASH
Botswana’s National Under-17 men’s team take on their Malawian counterparts this Friday at Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in an Under 17 COSAFA Championships fixture.
The Diamond Zebras will be looking to emulate the Mares who galloped to the COSAFA Senior Women’s Championship final at Wolfsan Stadium in Port Elizabeth last Saturday.
In a historic feat, The Mares brushed aside Tanzania and Zimbabwe 1-0, before blasting past Zambia 2-1 to face South Africa in their first regional final.
Likewise, Tebogo Mokute is hopeful his team will win their opening match against Malawi this Friday.
The Diamond Zebras, who left for Port Elizabeth on Monday, are in Group B with Zambia, Malawi, and The Comoros in a tournament that will run from the 19th to the 29th of this month. The team will play The Comoros on Sunday and Zambia next week Wednesday.
FINALISTS
The top two sides in each pool advance to the semifinals and the tournament finalists will secure a place at the 2021 Africa Under-17 Cup of Nations.
Botswana pulled out of last year’s COSAFA tournament as half of their squad was sitting for their Junior Certificate Examinations. In 2018, Botswana missed the semi-finals on goal difference after three countries finished on a tie of six points. They had won 1-0 against Mauritius, 2-1 against Seychelles, and lost 2-0 to Namibia.
Speaking to Voice Sport, Botswana Coach, Mokute, said with the two weeks they had in camp, he believed they did all that was necessary to compete and not just add numbers. He said this was a completely new team as most of the previous squad had graduated to the U20. Seven of the players in the team played at the second edition of the COPA Coca-cola Africa Cup which took place in Thika, Kenya from the 2nd to 5th of December, 2019, while the rest of the squad was recruited from the 2019 Botswana Games.
“We have a very good squad with skillful players. We are still waiting for three players who remained home writing their form 3 examinations and we hope they will be able to play in the Friday game,” Mokute said.
The missing trio is the first-choice goalkeeper, Menson Busang; Omphile Ramoagi; and Kgetheng, who were expected to have joined their teammates by Thursday.
“I have no doubt that the boys will deliver and the morale in the camp is very high,” he said, adding that his squad was injury-free.
“I’m spoilt for choice as all my players are available for selection,” said Mokute.
“I’m not worried at all that I’ve never seen any of our opponents playing because this is a development team which changes every year. We’re not bothered by that, we’re only focusing on our final preparations,” he said.
Botswana Under-17 final squad
Goalkeepers: Menson Busang, Lefika Ngwako, Bakang Boima
Defenders: Thabo Bakwena, Levi Monageng, Kutlo Kgetheng, Ontlametse Selebogo, Thuto Bafeletse, Mompati Tshoganetso, Kagiso Masankela
Midfielders: Thompho Mokganedi, Monty Enosa, Maatla Ramogalana, Omphie Ramoagi, Kgotso Radithogwa, Kenny Itshepeng, Totlo Junior Kgaolo
Strikers: Kgotso Tlhowe, Obakeng Mazongo, Koketso Mwampole