‘Rasta’ aims to bring COSAFA Cup home

Zebras’ interim coach, Letang Kgengwenyane has said they will go all out to improve on the last COSAFA Cup performance where they finished as runners up.

Zebras have been drawn in the group with South Africa (SA), Lesotho and eSwatini in this year’s COSAFA tournament, which runs from July 6 to July 18, 2021, in Port Elizabeth, SA. Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Kgengwenyane said their target is to bring the cup home this time around after losing out in the final two years ago.

On their way to reaching the final, Zebras eliminated SA in the last competition. This year, the two sides meet in their first group match on July 6 and Zebras coach said his charges are ready to do the job again. “We have been in camp for four weeks now and I must say I am happy with the fitness level in the team.

We want to improve on the last performance. We also want to build a team that will be able to play together for the next six years. That is why

I have included my former players at

Under-23,” he said.

Kgengwenyane also highlighted that they have since reduced the average age in the squad from 26 to 24. He said they will continue to ensure that they blend young players with those who have been in the team for some time.

The format for the tournament has changed this year with all the teams starting in the group stages. In the past, the tournament kicked off with preliminaries with other teams joining at the quarterfinal stage.

So I do not blame or hold any athlete accountable,” Dipeba said.

When asked about the selection of the men’s 4x400m relay team, Dipeba explained that the team is selected looking at the current performance. He said athletes would make the team according to their performance.

The relay team was submitted to the Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) on Wednesday. The Olympics chef de mission, Tshepo Sitale said the focus now turns to those who have qualified.

“Pre-games training camp and expose the team to competitions. We have qualified 15 athletes and that was the target,” he said. BNOC has set a target of two medals of any colour.

The Olympics team comprises Nijel Amos, Isaac Makwala, Amantle Victor Nkape Montsho, Christine Botlogetswe, Galefele Moroko, men’s 4x400m relay team.

Keamogetse Kenosi, Rajab Otukile (boxing), Magdelene Moyengwa (weightlifting) and James Freeman from swimming comes in through a wild card.