This is, by far, the widest net cast in national team call-ups as the Zebras are ready for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Algeria and Somalia to be played in mid-March. The technical team also has another eye on the 2025 AFCON finals to be played in Morocco in December. Historically, the team has never been short of quality gloves men from the Modiri Marumo-era to the prime Kabelo Dambe’s time until Goitsone Phoko made the slot his own in recent times. Phoko is missing from the squad owing to a knee injury that has kept him out of action since early December. Phoko is expected to resume light training by early March and would not be fit to be part of the team, which has opened an opportunity for the budding shot-stoppers.
The expectation is that a fully fit Phoko will be the number one keeper on any day. Ramoreboli has called up for four gloves men as he looks to widen his options. The most experienced of the cohort is Orapa United’s Lesenya Malapela. He was a key member of Zebras’ squad under Mogomotsi ‘Teenage’ Mpote and was a top performer when the Zebras reached the COSAFA Cup final in 2022. Malapela’s form with Orapa is eye-catching despite the team proving to be leaky in defence in recent ties. In the absence of Phoko, Malapela would be a natural pick for Ramoreboli. Former Under-23 goalkeeper Victor James would be warming his palms in case the chance is passed to him. He has done a stellar job between the sticks for Galaxy in the absence of Phoko. This is a goalkeeper who was brilliant with Masitaoka FC and was expected to play a deputy role for Phoko at Galaxy this campaign. Signs of rustiness showed in his first league match in December as he was shown a red card in what should have been a routine save for an elite goalkeeper. James has turned out for the Under 17s, Under 20s, and Under-23s, boosting his international experience. Township Rollers' Kabelo Maphakela could snatch the number one jersey after an impressive loan period with Mochudi Centre Chiefs before he was recalled by his parent club, Rollers, in the January transfer window. He is regarded as the most improved goalkeeper on the local shores and based on form, he pips his fellow shot-stoppers in the squad. Maphakela could present a headache for Ramoreboli as he lacks international experience, but he is amongst the leaders in the clean sheet charts. Keletso Lekuni of Sua Flamingoes might be a surprise selection for many, but he has put in the work to get the nod. The shot-stopper is enjoying his football under Nikola Kavazovic and ticks the boxes for a modern sweeper-keeper role.
