Koko speaks out on AFCON snub

THATO KALA
Correspondent | Friday January 13, 2012 00:00

 

Township Rollers' speedy winger, Sekhana Koko has expressed his disappointment over being dropped from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) squad and admits it will be difficult to respond to a call-up in future under the current Zebras coach, Stanley Tshosane. 

Koko was axed when Tshosane announced his final 23-member squad that will do duty as Botswana make their AFCON debut and the winger has said he is yet to get a satisfying answer on why he was left out.

'Right now I'm disappointed and if you ask me if I will still play for the national team, I don't think I will go back, but with time maybe I'll heal and, perhaps, reconsider,' a livid Koko opened up to Mmegi Sport.

While he is yet to make a firm decision on his national team future, he conceded that playing under Tshosane may be a tough decision after the recent snub.

'It's going to be very difficult to play (for the national team) under him. I'm not ditching the national team. At the moment I'm not ready to say I won't go back,' he said. 

Koko participated in the two training camps in Rustenburg, South Africa, but picked up a knock before Christmas, resulting in him missing three sessions. He, however, points out that there is no way the coach can use that as a reason. National team skipper, Mompati Thuma did not train for the greater part of both camps, but still made the cut.

Koko feels his fitness levels are hunky-dory. 'I'm equally fit like the other guys who went to Cameroon. I took part in every training session in Rustenburg so my fitness level is not questionable,' he said. Tshosane's explanation was that Koko missed earlier training camps last year, owing to work commitments. However, Koko does not buy the excuse considering that Nico United defender, Monametsi ''Sunday' Kelebale made a return to the national team in November last year.

'I'm surprised to hear the coach's comments; he says I missed a lot. But Sunday came in less than two months ago. He only came and after that he went to Nigeria, so I don't want to believe that is the reason he left me, there must be another reason,' he said. Asked what the reason could be, he said he was not aware because Tshosane 'has been speculative about his reasons'. He added: 'He's beating around the bush.' Koko urged Batswana not to turn their backs on the coach because of this decision saying he knows what he is doing.