18 May 2018

Botswana needs a win or draw of at least two goals against Congo this weekend to reach the third-round qualifying stage for the 2019 Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations tournament.

The two teams’ second-round tie is evenly poised at 1-1 ahead of the second-leg clash at the Stade Alphonse Massemba-Debat in Brazzaville on Sunday.

Thabang Khuduga scored for the second time in these qualifiers to put coach, Dragojlo Stanojlovic’s boys ahead in the first-leg encounter which was played at the National Stadium on Saturday.

But Jean Louamba headed in a last gasp goal to stun the local boys and leave them with all to do in Brazzaville.

Should the Young Zebras prevail in Congo they will meet the winner of the tie between Senegal and Egypt in the third-round.

Seven third-round winners will then join hosts Niger in the final tournament which will be held next year from 24 February to 10 March.

The Young Zebras required an away-goal rule to squeeze past Namibia in the first-round after a 1-1 aggregate stalemate. Botswana Football Association (BFA) said the team would arrive in Brazzaville today.

The team comprises of Thabo Motswagole (City Polar), Lesang Senne, Tumelo Matema (Maruapula Hungry Leopards), Theo Motsepe (Real Masters), Alford Velaphi (Gaborone United), Obusitswe Gabadise (Extension Gunners), Rorisang Mokganela (Jwaneng Galaxy), Kitso Mangolo (BDF XI), Pontsho Motshelanoka (Sharps Shooting Stars), Bakang Leshona (Extension Gunners), Moabi Mothaetsi (Maruapula Hungry Leopards), Kago Monyake (Township Rollers), Brian Mankanku (Extension Gunners), Tlamelo Kolagano, Bose Ramontsho (Tafic), Resaobaka Thatanyane (Miscellaneous), Thabang Khuduga and Tumelo Majola (Orapa United) ENDS