Mwanga calls for revision of national team selection
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday December 16, 2016 13:55
Mwanga was reacting to the dismal performance of the Under-20 team at the COSAFA championship in South Africa.
Botswana was eliminated from the tournament after losing all their matches, conceding four goals without finding the back of the net in the process. Mwanga told Mmegi Sport yesterday that a lot of things did not go well with the team before they left for the tournament.
He said the first blow was how the selection of the squad was conducted. He said the Botswana Football Association (BFA) technical team failed to move around the country scouting for players but instead only Gaborone-based players were picked.
“The technical team should have gone around all the BFA regions and picked players from there. There are good players out who deserve to be in the national team. We cannot depend on players who are based in Gaborone and surrounding areas. There is so much talent out there,” he said.
Mwanga said the preparations for the COSAFA championship did not take long as one would have expected. He said the most important thing was for the team to have international matches before going for the competition. He pointed out that having friendly matches against local clubs was not enough.
Mwanga said countries such as Lesotho are taking development seriously and they give their players enough time in preparations.
He pointed out that in the past, Lesotho was a walkover for Botswana but things have now changed. He said that is a sign they are doing something positive.
“Before any major games that we participate in, we must come up with a system whereby regions play against each other. It is here where players for the national team can be picked. They should fight to book themselves a spot in the national team,” he said.
Mwanga suggested that Premier League teams should have youth teams, which can be used as curtain raisers before the main matches. He said that way players will get exposure to the big stage and gain confidence on the ball. The Mwanga school will hold a boot camp in Serowe from December 19-23.
Meanwhile, South African Under-20 coach, Thabo Senong said after their match against Botswana that the local players should be given game time by different Premier League teams. He said the senior national team coach should also keep an eye on the young lads.