Aston Villa's Nakamba in Zim squad to face Zebras
Mqondisi Dube | Friday November 1, 2019 11:12
The Zebras will travel to Zimbabwe’s second city, which rarely hosts international football, for the first 2021 AFCON qualifier.
Zimbabwe’s coach, Joey Antipas has picked a solid side, headlined by Aston Villa midfielder, Marvellous Nakamba. Adel Amrouche’s charges have to contain the likes of Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat, all who have been included in the Warriors squad.
With the match being played in Bulawayo, just 200km from Francistown, hordes of Zebras fans are expected to make their way to Barbourfields Stadium for the tie.
Only five of the 32 men Warriors squad ply their trade in the local league, with 10 drawn from the South African Premiership.
The Zebras would look to cause an upset and proceed from a group that also contains African champions, Algeria and Zambia. Amrouche took over at a time when Botswana’s representation in the South African Premiership is at a low.
Only two players, Mogakolodi ‘Tsotso’ Ngele and Lesenya Ramoraka play for top-flight sides in South Africa.
Ngele is struggling for minutes at Black Leopards while Ramoraka is more established at Highlands Park.
Thero Setsile, Mpho Kgaswane and Kabelo Seakanyeng are other players who are outside the country.