Mahoto looks to exorcise Shilinde ghost :: Mmegi Online

Botswana has not been so lucky with getting some of its players born in the country but based abroad, to feature for the Zebras. At some stage, such a desperate attempt once gave birth to the infamous 2013 Bobby Shilinde debacle. However, latest recruit, Ethany Mahoto wants to be a success story following his recent call-up, reports Mmegi Staffer, MQONDISI DUBE

Any call-up of a player with Botswana links but now living abroad brings the comical and to a lesser extent, painful memories of the Shilinde saga. The ‘player’s representative’ Comfort ‘Big Fish’ Ramatebele thought he had made a big catch when he lured the supposedly excellent AFC Wimbledon player.

However, it did not need a second chance to convince then Zebras coach, Stanley Tshosane that Shilinde was not a football player. The saga threw football into some soul-searching as questions were asked about how someone who had masqueraded as a football player had received a national team call-up.

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