Koko axed from Zebras squad

THATO KALA
Correspondent | Tuesday January 10, 2012 00:00

 

Zebras coach, Stanley Tshosane named his 23-member squad that will do duty in Gabon yesterday morning at Gaborone Sun where the team had camped.

He trimmed the squad from 26 to 23 with Abednico Powell of Rollers and BDF XI's Mokgathi Mokgathi also losing out.

But it was Koko's exclusion that came as a surprise to most fans after his outstanding performances in the local league.

Tshosane explained the exclusion of the nimble-footed winger saying he missed part of the team's training programmes due to work commitments and a recent ankle injury.

Koko picked up an ankle injury during the Zebras' initial training camp in Rustenburg, South Africa, before Christmas and missed three days of training.

'I had to consider a lot of things when doing my final selection. I looked at participation and consistency at training, as well as the amount of effort each player put in during our preparations.

'Chicken (Koko) missed some of our earlier training programmes because of work and, as a result, he missed out a lot.  Again, when we got to South Africa he picked up an injury.

That is the reason I dropped him, but he's an exceptional player,' Tshosane told Mmegi Sport.

A surprise inclusion in Tshosane's squad is Nico United's striker-turned-defender Monametsi 'Sunday' Kelebale, who recently made a sensational return to the national team fold after some outstanding displays for his club.

He admitted that he never expected to make it, considering that Tshosane has maintained the same squad since his appointment two years ago.

'I'm really excited about my inclusion in the squad, I never thought I would make it because most of these guys in the team have been in the team longer than me.

But I think I worked very hard to earn this and I'll continue working hard,' Kelebale said.

As expected, all the South Africa-based stars were included in the final squad.

There was also room for young blood including Mogakolodi 'Tsotso' Ngele, goalkeeper Kabelo Dambe and Lemponye Tshireletso.

The team leaves for the final 10-day camp in Cameroon this morning.  Thereafter, they will head for Gabon where they take on Ghana in their first game on January 24.

The final squad is:Goalkeepers - Modiri Marumo (Bay United), Noah Maposa (Gaborone United), Dambe (Rollers)Defenders: Mompathi Thuma (BDF XI), Ndiyapo Letsholathebe (Police XI), Musa Ohilwe (Gaborone United), Mosimanegape Ramohibidu (BMC), Kelebale (Nico), Tshepo Motlhabankwe (Mochudi Centre Chiefs)

Midfielders:Mogogi Gabonamong (SuperSport United, South Africa), Joel Mogorosi, Pontsho Moloi, Othusitse Pilane (Chiefs), Boitumelo Mafoko (Cape Town Santos) Ofentse Nato (Gaborone United), Phenyo Mongala (Bloemfontein Celtic), Patrick Motsepe, Tshireletso (BDF XI), Ngele (Rollers) Strikers:  Jerome Ramatlhakwane (Unattached), Diphetogo Selolwane (SuperSport), Onalethata Tshekiso (Rollers), Moemedi Moatlhaping (Bay United),