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.
He has ousted former Zebras’ invitee, Kenneth Mmoko and his eyes will now be on Zebras’ goalkeeping role. Out of the four called-up, Ramoreboli has options in Dambe and Thabo Motswagole of Gaborone United, who have been overlooked for the current call-up. Dambe, now 35, would be the most experienced goalkeeper and his expertise and guidance would come in handy. On the other end, Motswagole’s career has been affected by off-field issues as he has been suspended on two occasions by GU for ill-discipline since the start of last season. The former Masitaoka and BDF XI goalkeeper is good with his feet, acrobatic and proven to be vocal between the sticks, making him a desirable starter for any coach. Motswagole has been part of the Zebras’ setup before, but he might be down the pecking order as he also struggles for game time at GU since the arrival of Ezekiel Morake.
Ramoreboli’s net has new faces in the squad, amongst others, former Young Zebras’ full back Motheo Mogapi, who is with Fleetwood Town in the UK, local elite league’s youngest debutant Losika Ratshukudu who now plies his trade with Ubuntu Academy in South Africa while UK-based Reneilwe Batlokwa returns. The squad also include the North African contingent that includes the team’s captain, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe. Several uncapped players who have been on form in the FNB Premiership have also got the nod. They include TAFIC’s Theo Shadikong and defender Kemoneetswe Mmangwedi, VTM FC’s Kabelo Thari, and Sua Flamingoes’ influential midfielder, Samuel Makgoro. Beyond the World Cup qualifiers, the likes of Phenyo Serameng, Mpho Kgaswane, Mogalokodi Ngele, and Simisane Mathumo would hope to return to the Zebras’ fold. The current squad will be trimmed ahead of the international break in early March. Zebras provisional squad
Goalkeepers: Lesenya Malapela (Orapa United), Kabelo Maphakela (Rollers), Keletso Lekuni (Sua), and Victor James (Galaxy)
Defenders: Thabo Leinanyane, Tebogo Kopelang (both Galaxy), Mosha Gaolaolwe, Motsholetsi Sikele (both Rollers), Tshepang Boithatelo (Morupule), Thatayaone Ditlhokwe (Al-Ittihad, Libya), Motheo Mogapi (Fleetwood Town, UK), Rebaone Joseph, Shaun Phillip, Kemoneetswe Mmangwedi (all TAFIC), Alphord Velaphi, Mothusi Johnson ( both GU), Jackson Lesole, and Benson Mangolo (both Chiefs)
Midfielders: Kamogelo Moloi, Koketso Majafi, (both Orapa), Phillip Kaku (Rollers), Kabelo Thari (VTM), Gift Moyo, Gilbert Baruti (both Galaxy), Lebogang Ditsile (GU), Godiraone Modingwane (BDF XI), Gape Mohutsiwa (ASO Chlef, Algeria), Reneilwe Batlokwa (Maldon & Tiptree, UK), Theo Shadikong (TAFIC), Samuel Makgoro (Sua), and Thero Bobi (Dinaledi Academy)
Forwards: Serati Semadi, Ngwako Ramokgathi (both Sua), Thabang Sesinyi, Omaatla Kebatho, Thero Setsile (all Galaxy), Thatayaone Kgamanyane (GU), Eric Ookame (Orapa), Tumisang Orebonye (Al-Ittihad, Libya), Losika Ratshukudu (Ubuntu Academy, SA), Kgopolo Gaseeme (Gunners), Thatayaone Ramatlapeng, Segolame Boy (both Rollers), Ronaldo Fortune (Chiefs), Tshepo Keselebale (Systems), Thatayaone Nkwape (TAFIC), and Kabelo Seakanyeng (Maghreb Fez, Morocco)
