Nato, Kebue out as Zebras leave for COSAFA
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Wednesday June 28, 2017 16:41
They will also be without midfielder, Ofentse Nato who has been out of action for a while. Nato together with Rollers defender, Bogosi Kaekwe were part of the camp but left out of the final squad. Radipotsane said the players’ fitness was lower since they have not been playing.
While Nato has been clubless, Kaekwe was part of the Rollers squad last season but could not break into the line-up with Simisane Mathumo and Mosha Gaolaolwe manning the defence. Both Gaolaolwe and Mathumo made it into the travelling team. With Nato out, the team will be under the captaincy of Mochudi Centre Chiefs midfielder, Lesego Galenamotlhale.
Radipotsane said there will not be too many changes in approach as they lie in wait to meet Zambia in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
He said he is hopeful that his team can win the tournament since only a few players amongst them Joel Mogorosi and Boitumelo Mafoko are missing from last year’s team. Radipotsane took over on a caretaker basis from Peter Butler who has now joined South African Premier Soccer League side, Platinum Stars. There were also few changes to the technical team with former goalkeepers, Modiri Marumo and Kagiso Tshelametsi joining the team. They replaced Joseph Maposa who has been the goalkeeper coach. Joshua Gaotlhobogwe has replaced Sakaeyo Jane as the welfare manager.
“I am happy that I will be working with both Modiri and Tshelametsi who I coached before because I know what they are capable of,” Radipotsane said yesterday. He revealed that Marumo has since returned to South Africa since his team, Polokwane City were reporting for pre-season but is expected to join the Zebras in South Africa.
Meanwhile defender, Tebogo Sosome who is one of the senior players also expressed his hope that they can improve on last year’s performance when they lost in the final to Bafana Bafana.
He said their only disappointment is the injury to Kebue who he said has been playing a vital role, but said there are other competent players to fill the void.
“We want to do better than last year but we will also need the crowd to push us. In Windhoek last year, we had many supporters and I am hopeful that we will even have more of them in Rustenburg since the distance from this side is not long,” he said.
The full squad:
GOALKEEPERS
Anthony Gouws (Jwaneng Galaxy), Mwampule Masule (Rollers), Michael James (Black Forest)
DEFENDERS
Tebogo Sosome (Galaxy), Moreetsi Mosimanyana (Galaxy), Mosha Gaolaolwe (Rollers), Simisane Mathumo (Rollers), Onkabetse Seforo (BDF XI), Thabo Leinanyane (Galaxy), Tapiwa Gadibolae (Police XI)
MIDFIELDERS
Lebogang Ditsile (Highlands Park), Lesego Galenamotlhale (Chiefs), Thero Setsile (Galaxy), Kabelo Seakanyeng (Gaborone United), Lemponye Tshireletso (Rollers), Lemogang Maswena (Orapa United), Thatayaone Kgamanyane (Black Forest), Mpho Kgaswane (Baroka FC), Richard Legwaila (BDF XI)
STRIKERS
Omaatla Kebatho (Orapa United), Tumisang Orebonye (GU), Thabang Sesinyi (Galaxy), Hendrick Moyo (Police XI)