04 Jun 2025

The Zebras national football team is gearing up for the upcoming HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Cup 2025, set to take place at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium. The tournament runs from June 9 to June 21, featuring teams from across Southern Africa.

The Zebras are placed in Group D alongside Zambia and Comoros.

 Their opening match is against Comoros on June 9, followed by a crucial encounter with Zambia on June 11.

Historically, the Zebras have struggled against Zambia at COSAFA, having never secured a win in the six encounters, with only one draw in the 2022 quarterfinals in Durban. The team has played two matches against Comoros, winning one and drawing another.

 Despite participating in all previous COSAFA tournaments, the team has yet to lift the trophy, with their best result being a silver medal in 2016 after a narrow 3-2 defeat to South Africa in the finals.

In recent years, the Zebras have faced early eliminations, often exiting in the first round, quarterfinals, or semi-finals. However, hopes are high this year, especially with the team’s recent preparations and strategic focus. Head coach Morena Ramoreboli expressed confidence in the squad, noting that many players making their national team debut would benefit from the tournament’s competitive environment. 

“It is important for them to experience the pressure of international football, which will help us prepare for the AFCON finals in Morocco this December,” he said.

Ramoreboli also emphasised the team’s broader goals: building a pool of ready players to represent the country consistently. 

The plan for COSAFA includes playing four matches, with aspirations to reach the finals, which he described as a key objective for 2025.

“We want to compete. It won’t be easy, but with proper preparation and hard work, we believe we can achieve our goals,” he added.

Under the COSAFA tournament format, 14 teams are divided into four groups—two groups with four teams each and two groups with three teams. Group winners advance to the semifinals, where the winner of Group B will face the winner of Group C, and the top teams from Groups A and D will meet in the other semifinal.

The Zebras squad features a mix of seasoned players and debutants, including goalkeepers Thabo Motswagole, Lesenya Malapela, and Tshepo Mooketsi; defenders such as Botsile Sakana and Mothusi Johnson; midfielders like Omphile Ramoagi and Karabo Phiri; and attackers Reneilwe Batlokwa and Serati Semadi.

All eyes are on the Zebras as they strive to make their mark in COSAFA 2025 and bring the trophy back home. ENDS