Botswana under caretaker coach, Mogomotsi ‘Teenage’ Mpote was due to play football’s lowest ranked country at the end of March over two legs. The Zebras found themselves involved in preliminary round ties as they are among the 12 lowest ranked teams on the continent. But now the Zebras have been spared the blushes after Eritrea withdrew yesterday (Thursday). "This herein serves as official confirmation that the senior national men's team, the Zebras, have advanced to the next round of the qualifiers after their Africa Cup of Nations 20223 preliminary round opponents, Eritrea withdrew," the Botswana Football Association said in a statement.
The BFA had already called players into camp to prepare for the tie. Mpote had announced a squad that has some surprise omissions. Mpote has left out Township Rollers goalkeeper and former Zebras number one, Kabelo Dambe from the 31 men preliminary squad. Dambe was very vocal last year about the welfare of national team players and vowed not to return to the squad until the situation changes. The shot stopper has, however, been one of the stand out glovesmen this campaign as he sits second behind Gaborone United (GU) goalkeeper, Goitseone Phoko, in terms of clean sheets. Jwaneng Galaxy's Thabang Sesinyi also missed the cut.
