29 Sep 2014

The senior national team, the Zebras, will face the Warriors of Zimbabwe at the National Stadium on Tuesday, September 30.

The friendly fixture is part of the country’s Independence Day activities as Botswana celebrates 48 years.

A closer look into the Warriors camp suggests that the Zebras will be playing against a newly assembled squad after the Zimbabwean seized to be active after they were eliminated from the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in June.

Even so, the Zebras coach Peter “PJ” Butler has also assembled a pool of young and new players for the friendly fixture in the likes of  Kenanao “Flo” Kgetholetsile of BMC, Othusitse Mpharitlha of BDF XI and Gaborone United goal keeper, Kenalemang Neo. Butler said in an interview that his boys will tomorrow give Batswana a good Independence Day celebration and value for their money.

That, he said was despite that he will be using the friendly game to try out some formation and in turn giving some of the young and new players a run.

Meanwhile, many had opined that the Zebras mentor did not have what they termed a consistent line-up. However, Butler argued that “players lose form and get injured so there’s no how a coach can have a consistent line up. On top of that, I would not have seasoned players like Modiri Marumo, Joel Mogorosi and others and will be depending on some new players in tomorrow’s game.”

Zebras’ goal minders on the day will be Wagarre Dikago of Extension Gunners and GU’s Neo.  Defenders: Edwin Olerile (GU), Obonye Moswate, Obuile Ncenga, Leutwetse Tshireletso, Otlantshekela Mooketsi (Township Rollers), Mosha Gaolaolwe, Pelontle Lerole (BDF XI), Boitumelo Mafoko (Jwaneng Galaxy).

Midfielders: Thato Ogopotse, Bonolo Phuduhudu, Kabelo Seakanyeng, Othusitse Mpharitha (BDF XI), Lemponye Tshireletso (Mochudi Centre Chiefs) Galabgwe Moyana (unattached), Karabo Phiri (GU), Onkabetse Makganthai, Khumoetsile Kufigwa (Nico United), Segolame Boy (Township Rollers) and Lebogang Ditsele (Letlapeng).

Strikers: Jerome Ramatlhakwana, (unattached), Mokgathi Mokgathi (BDF XI) and Kenanao Kgetholetsile (BMC). ENDS