Mpote lays down football foundation
Since his appointment, Mogomotsi Mpote hasn’t been able to properly take charge of the national team, but when the coach released the squad that was expected to face the cancelled game against Tanzania over the weekend a lot of people were surprised. The main surprise in the squad was the unfamiliar names that the coach had included in the squad among many other things. However, speculation has been very rife that the coach is laying a future foundation with a very young and inexperienced players, some of whom are playing in the lower leagues. With the Zebras preparing for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations ( Afcon), it is believed that his vision does not only end there but it goes further into 2027.
With Botswana having formally disclosed her interest to host the 2027 showpiece, it is evident that the leadership at Lekidi is working tirelessly together with the coach to build a strong team for the 2027 tournament. Although Mpote is an interim coach, there is a likelihood that he will earn himself a long contract provided he impresses with this young team and show proper growth with his play and the players.
Mpote might be laying a foundation for someone else with the Botswana Football Association( BFA) still not
keen on appointing him on a full time basis. The Orapa United gaffer has recently shown his capability to lead at the highest level, having led the team to the COSAFA Cup Final in 2019. Besides that, he has won the Orange FA Cup with Orapa United and the League title with Township Rollers.
The new faces in the Zebras squad include Larona Modisaang, Tumelo Majola, Tlamelo Kolagano, Tawana Mbakile, Doctor David, Godiraone Modingwane and Thabo Wetshomang.
His squad will be beefed up with Captain Thatayone Dithokwe, Tumisang Orebonye, Kabelo Seakanyeng, Mothusi Cooper, Thero Setsile and Lebogang Ditsele among several others who have represented the country across the continent. “We have already
laid the foundation so we want players who can be an understudy to some of these top players; we don’t want a team that will be relying on certain individuals,” Mpote said. Quizzed if this is the team for the 2027 Afcon, the coach had this to say: “Most players are 21 and 22, they will be at their peak by 2027. They will get the much needed exposure without any pressure and giving them the right guidance they can improve ahead of the competition. “They will be playing the Afcon qualifiers, if they get 12 points, they qualify and if they qualify for the upcoming tournament it is the much needed exposure and experience.” Quizzed about his future with the National team, Mpote said he will only discuss that after he achieves his mandates with his employers.