Zebras coach calls up 55 players
Staff Writer | Monday November 17, 2025 06:00
The manager named a squad of 55 players yesterday as preparations for the biennial continental tournament kick-off. An intensive period lies ahead as the national team picks up delayed momentum ahead of their first match at the finals against Senegal on December 23.
The Zebras are inactive during the current FIFA international week, but their rivals, including Senegal, are hard at work.
Senegal play Brazil and Kenya in back-to-back friendly matches, whilst Zebras' opponents on December 29, the Democratic Republic of Congo, played Cameroon in a World Cup qualifier yesterday. The other group opponent is Benin.
The Zebras squad is dominated by players from Gaborone United (GU), Jwaneng Galaxy, Township Rollers, Orapa United and Mochudi Centre Chiefs.
Defending champions, GU, lead with 10 players while second-placed Galaxy contributes nine.
Rollers, despite their off-field issues, have proved to be a force on the pitch, and the Zebras coaches have picked eight players from Popa, whilst Chiefs have seven and Orapa, six.
The squad will be trimmed to 22 before the team flies out to Morocco for the finals.
The squad
Goalkeepers: Goitseone Phoko, Victor James (Galaxy), Keoagile Kgosipula (Chiefs), Lesenya Malapela (Orapa), Kabelo Dambe (Rollers), Thabo Motswagole (GU), and Kenneth Mmoko (Sua Flamingoes)
Defenders: Mosha Gaolaolwe, Simisane Mathumo (Rollers), Thatayaone Ditlhokwe (Al-Ittihad), Thabo Leinanyane, Tebogo Kopelang, Chico Molefe (Galaxy), Shanganani Nganda, Brian Tafi (Chiefs), Alford Velaphi, Mothusi Johnson, Thato Kebue (GU), Lemogang Maswena (Rollers), Botsile Sakana (Orapa), and Benson Mangolo (Richards Bay)
Midfielders: Gape Mohutsiwa (MC Oran), Mothusi Cooper, Omphile Vissagie (Rollers), Godiraone Modingwane (BDF XI), Monty Enosa, Kutlwelo Mpolokang, Gilbert Baruti (Chiefs), Mpho Kgaswane, Karabo Phiri, Lebogang Ditsile, Omphile Ramoagi (GU), Olebogeng Ramotse (Galaxy), Darren Matshuba (Morupule Wanderers), Ratlhogo Ricky Ratlhogo, Koketso Majafi (Orapa), and Tlotlo Keipidile (Black Lions)
Strikers: Segolame Boy, Serati Semadi (Flamingoes), Tumisang Orebonye (Wydad), Thatayaone Kgamanyane, Thabo Maponda (GU), Thabang Sesinyi, Omaatla Kebatho, Onkabetse Mankgantai (Galaxy), Thatayaone Ramatlapeng, Thapelo Balatlheng (Rollers), Kabelo Seakanyeng (MAS FES), Ronald Fortune (Chiefs), Eric Ookame (Orapa), Thero Setsile (Al Shomooa), Losika Ratshukudu (Ubuntu FC), Mbatshi Elias (Orapa), Thabo Motlhabane (Nico), and Molaodi Tlhalefang (Majd FC)