The quartet are: Thapelo Disang, Moletlanyi Keoagile, Moora Silas and Israel Malepa. The centre referee will be Disang, with Keoagile and Silas being his assistants. Malepa will be the fourth official. Their appointment has come directly from the FIFA office in Zurich, Switzerland, and according referees' commission secretary Harris Lebotse, it shows that the world governing body acknowledges that Botswana whistle men have much potential. Lebotse told Mmegi Sport that whenever referees are invited to take charge of games of this magnitude, they ensure that they get necessary match practice and undergo some intensive fitness training. "It's quite unfortunate that Thapelo (Disang) stays in Orapa but we've tried that they get match practice. They officiated in the recent game between Under-23 and Lesotho and some games," said Lebotse. The referees' boss further told Mmegi Sport that he has no doubt that the quartet will do a good job in Zambia.
Meanwhile, referees Tebogo Ramocha and assistant referee Meshack Medupe will from June 25-30 attend a FIFA Young Talent referees' course in Johannesburg, South Africa. Once again, referees' commission did not nominate the duo as the invitation came from FIFA and CAF.
"I believe the course should able them to improve their level of refereeing. I've got confidence that they will pass what they learnt in South Africa on to other referees when they return," Lebotse said. The duo are expected to leave on June 24.
