03 Nov 2015

The senior national team; Zebras will report for camp on Sunday  November 8 to prepare for the second round of the first leg of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier game against the Eagles of Mali on November 14 at Francistown Sports Complex.

The Zebras started the campaign on a high note by crushing Eritrea 5-1 on aggregate in the first-round and this will act as a morale booster to the local lads.

However, coach Peter ‘PJ’Butler is expected to leave no stone unturned when he faces one of Africa’s power houses.

He told this reporter in an interview that the game is not going to be easy given that their opponents have good players who ply their trade in professional set up in countries such as France, England and Greece which gives the coach an opportunity to choose from a pool of good players.

He however, said Zebras have played against tough sides like Senegal, Burkina Faso and Egypt, adding that against Mali mental approach of the game will be vital on the day.

According to PJ it is important for the team to win every game as that will put them in a good position to move forward with the competition.

He said he will also drill his boys to make sure that during the game they are confident, organised and optimistic that they can win the game, adding that he was aware that the game has attracted a lot of attention.

“I am going to use a combination of youngsters and experience players. This is a big game some players might freeze on the day, but I am confident that Lebogang Ditsele and Mosha Gaolaolwe will prove their mettle on the day and handle the game well,”  he said.

Meanwhile, the Zebras have never won a game against Mali and the last time the two sides met was in 2012 AFCON qualifiers, where the Eagle beat Zebras on an aggregate of 7-1.

The return leg will be played at the Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako on November 17 and kick-off is at 1900. 

Players who will report for camp on Sunday are: Mwampole Masule, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Kabelo Seakanyeng (BDF XI); Goitseone Phoko, Gaopatwe Seosenyeng Hendrick Moyo (Gaborone United); Tebogo Sosome, Boitumelo Mafoko ( Jwaneng Galaxy); Lebogang Ditsele (Gilport Lions);  Lemponye Tshireletso (Mochudi Centre Chiefs); Keolopile Moremi (Miscellaneous); Tapiwa Gadibolae, Letlhogonolo Senwelo, Phenyo Molefe, Joseph Joseph (Police XI); Kabelo Dambe, Obonye Moswate, Segolame Boy, Joel Mogorosi, Kaone Van Der Westhuizen, Galabgwe Moyana (Township Rollers); Omaatla Kebatho - Vasco da Gama; (South Africa); Mogakolodi Ngele – Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) and Ofentse Nato - Atletico de Kolkata (India). Ends