Lekgari joins COSAFA squad

THATO KALA
Correspondent | Friday June 21, 2013 00:00

Lekgari will be the only foreign-based as coach Stanley Tshosane has picked a squad made up of local-based stars.Lekgari turns out for Namibia Preier League champions Black Africa.The former youth international got his first Zebras' call up in January ahead of a tie against Zimbabwe Warriors in Harare and has never looked back.None of Botswana's South Africa-based stars have been included in Tshosane's squad for the regional showpiece despite being on an off-season break.

However, Tshosane does have a number of players who have been competing in the 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.'We had initially named players from local clubs, but we realised Pako Lekgare is available so we have also called him,' Tshosane told Mmegi Sport.The team goes into camp on Sunday in Gaborone ahead of the competition that kicks off on July 6. Gaborone United striker Tebogo Sembowa, the experienced Moemedi Moatlhaping and green boot award winner Kekaetswe Moloi are all part of the team.

Tshosane has also maintained his tried and tested back line of Mompati Thuma, Ndiyapo Letsholathebe, Edwin Olerile and Tshepo Motlhabankwe.A few national team fringe players including youth international defender Moshe Gaolaolwe of BMC, Richard Legwaila, Gift Moyo and Gaopatwe Seosenyeng also make the trip to Zambia.Once again, there was no place for Nico United's Topo Piet, who had been shortlisted for the coveted Player of the Season award after some exceptional performances in club colours. Piet was a marvel to watch in the just-ended season, with most of Nico United's onslaughts initiated by him.

The Zebras are drawn in Group B at the COSAFA Cup along with Kenya, Lesotho and Swaziland.They open their campaign against Swaziland on July 7 in Kitwe. Botswana squad: Mompoloki Sephekolo, Noah Maposa, Mompati Thuma, Ndiyapo Letsholathebe, Oscar Ncenga, Edwin Olerile, Tshepo Motlhabankwe, Tebogo Sosome, Ntesang Simanyana, Jackie Mothatego, Galabgwe Moyana, Alphonse Modisaotsile, Richard Legwaila, Tebogo Sembowa, Lemponye Tshireletso, Moemedi Moatlhaping, Kekaetswe Moloi, Moshe Gaolaolwe, Gift Moyo, Gaopatwe Seosenyeng