29 Jun 2014

The senior national football team will face Tanzania in a friendly game at the National Stadium in Gaborone on Tuesday, July 1.

According to Botswana Football Association communications officer, Phakamile Kraai,  the Zebras will use locally-based players In the encounter, which he said Tanzania was taking seriously since they had brought their full squad.

He said Tanzania arrived in the country on June 24 and had been training at SSKB stadium.  He said the Zebras started their training on June 26, adding that the foreign-based players would only join the camp ahead of the Guinea Bissau encounter billed for July 19 in Gaborone.

However, Zebras were expected to be cautious during the encounter given that Batswana wanted nothing else but results. Cances are that Township Rollers goal minder, Mwampule Masule will be given another opportunity between the goalposts.

Although he faltered in their last friendly game against Swaziland, Masule has prospects of maturing with time just like his colleagues, Kabelo Dambe and Noah Maposa.

Other players who are likely to be given the run are Township Rollers new signee, Otlantshekela Mooketsi, Motsholetsi Sikele, Unobatsha Mbaiwa and Mosha Gaolaolwe.

Although they are ranked 113 in the world and 32 in Africa, Tanzania shocked Africa when they booted Zimbabwe by 3-2 aggregate in the 2015 AFCON qualifiers. They also have home based players who are aggressive and hungry for success. 

Although the Zebras are on top of Tanzania in rankings, it is worth mentioning that rankings do not play on the field, therefore the local lads need to up their game to avoid being humiliated in their own turf.

However, the presence of DRC-based player Jerome Ramatlhakwana might bolster the Zebras confidence, more especially in the box, given that he is one player who could score goals for Zebras when the going gets tough.

The time is now, for the local based players to impress coach Peter Butler and book a place in the line up for the Guinea Bissau game. 

The game starts at 3pm and entrance fee is P 30  all-round. ENDS