Gumbo gives Botswana-based duo the nod

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

 

Lesotho and Zimbabwe will join the Zebras to make the three teams who will play at the  tournament.Former Township Rollers and Chiefs coach, Rahman Gumbo, has given Chaka and Sibanda the nod again after handing them their first call-ups last year when the Warriors visited Burundi.

Gumbo said the two would join a locally based squad. He confirmed that none of his foreign-based stars will make the trip to Gaborone: 'We will not bring any of our foreign based players because the idea is to give the locally based guys a chance. Arnold (Chaka) and Mandla (Sibanda) will join us,' Gumbo told Mmegi Sport.The Warriors and Lesotho's team will arrive in Gaborone on Sunday.

Gumbo said they are taking the tournament seriously and commended the Botswana Football Association (BFA) for embarking on the initiative.  The Warriors were drawn to play Angola in the 2013 qualifiers.As the host association, BFA is expected to provide transport on air conditioned buses for the teams as well as an air conditioned car for the head of delegation. Accommodation and meals for a delegation of 30 for each country will also be provided by BFA.

BFA chief executive officer, Duncan Kgame said they are contemplating the inclusion of the national Under 20 team: 'We are contemplating including our Under 20 for it to be the fourth team. If the other teams agree, we will take the Under 20s.' Kgame said.He stressed the importance of preparing the team for the AFCON qualifier against Mali saying, 'it would be upsetting to be mere spectators when our neighbours, South Africa, host the AFCON next year.'  'If I was in control of everything, I would stop everything to focus on the Mali game. The stadium that we are going to use in Mali is a 50, 000 seater and if I had the powers, I would tell people to help me reach the target of 10, 000 fans to go there with the team,' he said.