Mpote targets CHAN qualification
Mqondisi Dube | Thursday April 18, 2019 12:28
The Zebras’ road to next year’s tournament in Ethiopia starts with a home tie against Seychelles at the Lobatse Sports Complex tomorrow. Botswana, eSwatini, Malawi and Seychelles get the ball rolling in the continental tournament for locally based players only.
Malawi and eSwatini are in action at the King Sobhuza Stadium in Mbabane, also on Saturday.
But local fans’ interest will be at the Lobatse Sports Complex where the Zebras will look to erase the bitter taste of a disappointing 2019 Africa Cup of Nations campaign. The Zebras finished the AFCON qualifiers without a win in six matches, and Mpote is keen to restore pride. He was beaten 1-0 by Angola in the final round of the qualifiers, after replacing the sacked David Bright.
Mpote will be in charge of the team for only his second game and with a substantive appointment due around June, he will be keen to leave lasting impressions.
He said preparations for the Saturday game have progressed well and they began with a review of the Angola performance. “I realised that they were scared and rushed the forward pass. I want to give them confidence. From what I have seen in training, I have hope that we can qualify,” Mpote said.
He said he would have liked to have Mosha Gaolaolwe in his squad, but there were certain issues that prevented the player’s call-up.
Captain, Joel Mogorosi, leads the young squad and the Zebras should carry enough arsenal to swat aside a little known Seychelles side.
Mpote said he does not have full knowledge of their opponents.
“I can say I know them 60%. I watched their game against Nigeria and most of the time, they had nine men behind the ball,” he said.
On the choice of Lobatse as the venue, Mpote said the team would play wherever, although they had struck a good rapport with the Francistown pitch and crowd. “You can see that when they play there, they are confident,” Mpote said.
The Zebras squad
Goalkeepers: Keagile Kgosipula (Township Rollers), Ezekiel Morake (Jwaneng Galaxy), Tumiso Mashakola (BDF XI)
Defenders: Thatayaone Ditlhokwe (Township Rollers), Thato Kebue (Jwaneng Galaxy), Fortunate Thulare (Jwaneng Galaxy), Thabo Leinanyane (Jwaneng Galaxy), Mothusi Johnson (Orapa United), Alford Velaphi (Gaborone United), Thato Seagateng (Notwane)
Midfielders: Segolame Boy (Township Rollers), Gape Mohutsiwa (Township Rollers), Lebogang Ditsele (Jwaneng Galaxy), Thero Setsile (Jwaneng Galaxy), Gilbert Baruti (Jwaneng Galaxy), Gofaone Mabaya (Orapa United), Allen Ndodole (Sharps Shooting Stars), Tlhalefo Molebatsi (Notwane)
Strikers: Joel Mogorosi (Township Rollers), Tumisang Orebonye (Township Rollers), Kitso Mpuisang (Prisons XI), Thatayaone Kgamanyane (Gaborone United)