Nato in Zebras squad for Tanzania trip
Mqondisi Dube | Wednesday March 15, 2017 15:51
In true Butler fashion, unheralded central defender, Thuso Monyama from Eleven Angels in Francistown has made the cut. Monyama impressed during recent Under-21 trials conducted by Butler, who has a keen eye for young talent. TAFIC’s Mothusi Johnson is the other player from the lower divisions.
“I picked Monyama and Jonhson for the Under-20 COSAFA tournament (held in December). Both are very good prospects. Nato is training with us, we will see his condition,” Butler said.
The 26-member squad will be trimmed to 21 before the team flies out to Dar es Salaam. The team assembles for camp in Gaborone on Sunday with departure expected towards the end of next week.
The Zebras will end a six-month hiatus, after they were last involved against Angola on Independence Day.
Since then, the cash-strapped Botswana Football Association (BFA) has refocused priorities elsewhere.
DRC-based Onkabetse Mankgantai was called up but will not make the trip as he has been allowed to stay with his AS Vita side and focus on CAF club commitments.
“He has been excused since his side is involved in a CAF club competition. The coach (Butler) believes he will gain invaluable experience with AS Vita in the CAF competition as the Zebras prepare for AFCON qualifiers. As for the youngster (Monyama), the coach believes he has great potential and a bright future ahead,” BFA public relations officer, Tumo Mpatane said.
The squad is a mixture of seasoned campaigners, which sees Wits University midfielder, Ngele and Lebogang Ditsile from Highlands Park as the two foreign based players.