Zimpapers Logo

of the first round qualifier of the African Championships set for Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow.

The return leg is on 5 May with the winner progressing to the next round where they will play Angola on the weekend of 28 July. The second leg of that encounter will then take place on the weekend of 11 August.

In an interview yesterday, the Botswana coach Odirile  Matlhaku said most of the players in the squad have been together from Under-17s and was hopeful that they would combine well to disappoint the hosts.

“It will be a tricky match but we are ready for the challenge despite the fact that we have been together for four days now. Most of the boys I brought are in school and it was difficult to get them to get into camp before they closed. We trained three days in Botswana.

“However, I am confident that the boys will rise to the occasion as they have been together since Under-17s and if you can recall we had the youngest squad at last year’s Cosafa Under-20 tournament,” Matlhaku said.

The Young Zebras arrived on Wednesday night and trained once at White City Stadium yesterday. They will have their final training session at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon.

According to media reports from Botswana, the Young Zebras have most of the players who were in the Cosafa Under-20 team which finished third in the competition.

Goalkeeper Neo Kenalemang who plays for Gaborone United, Taffic FC midfielder and skipper Ogomoditse Baoline and striker Unobatsha Mbaiwa who turns out for lower division club Delta Winds are some of the players to look out for.

Some of their players with Premiership experience are Wongare Kaekwe of Township Rollers, Eric Molefhi of Mochudi Centre Chiefs, Notwane’s Langa Mabuli and Shadreck Kgosietsile of Gaborone United.

Meanwhile, Young Warriors’ gaffer Jairos Tapera is expected to name his final team this afternoon.

News that there could have been some overaged players in the team could be reasons that might have led to the delay in announcing the final team as the technical team wanted to have more time to look at the squad.

This publication yesterday revealed that striker Marshal Marime might be overage as a few things about him do not tally to  still have him within the Under-20 age-group.

He completed “A” level in 2008 the same year his teammate at Pamushana Kelvin Skopo Sibanda sat for his “O” Levels.
He has on two years running been left out of national teams with respective coaches believing he could be above the age limit.

He plays for Bulawayo Premiership side Chicken Inn.

“The final team will only be announced tomorrow (today),” said the Young Warriors’ manager Lloyd Chinawa.

Botswana squad:
Kago Segokgo (BMC), Moruti (Santos), Baoleni (TAFIC), Tshepo Mokotedi (Tlokweng United), Moshe Gaolaolwe (Lobatse Stars), Tshwanelo Mojanaga (Lobatse Stars), Mbaiwa (Delta Winds), Baemedi Rasuping (Matebejana), Entle Bakwena (Lobatse Stars), Wongare Kaekwe (Township Rollers), Langa Mabuli (Notwane), Kabelo Seakanyeng (BDF XI), Eric Molefhi (Mochudi Centre Chiefs), Buyani Kgomotso (Santos), Mathe (Santos), Mpho Kgaswane (Santos), Kenalemang (GU), Kgosietsile Shadreck (GU), Moatlhodi Sam (Hotspurs)