A fixtures cock-up by Tanzania has compromised plans by Botswana senior national football team- The Zebras, to play friendly games during the ongoing FIFA international break in the football calender.
Tanzania invited three countries for friendlies but FIFA rules regulating Tier 1 dictate that a country can only play two Tier 1 games in a window. Consequently, Botswana Football Association (BFA) resolved to withdraw from the invitation. The Zebras were initially scheduled to play a tournament in Turkey but changed plans when Tanzania came forward with their invitation. Unknown to BFA, Tanzania was also pursuing two other countries for friendlies in the same FIFA international break.
The Zebras will play an AFCON qualifier in June and are therefore eager to find friendly games to help them gauge the strength of the players called up in the tentative squad. The Taifa Stars of Tanzania would have given the Zebras a good practice match considering that they are higher than Botswana in FIFA rankings.
As a stop gap measure, by the end of the week BFA were hoping to secure a friendly against Ethiopia on Tuesday.
Zebras squad
Goalkeepers
Goitseone Phoko (Gaborone United), Kenneth Mmoko (SUA Flamingoes), Lesenya Malapela (Orapa United).
Defenders
Thatayaone Ditlhokwe (SuperSport United – South Africa), Larona Modisaemang, Sylvester Leririma (Police XI), Mothusi Johnson, Thato Kebue (Gaborone United) Onkarabile Ratanang (Township Rollers) Ratlhogo Ratlhogo, Tlamelo Kolagano (Orapa United) and Tebogo Kopelang (Security Systems)
Midfielders
Goitseone Legopelo (SUA Flamingoes), Allen Ndodole, Gofaone Mabaya ,Tumelo Majola (Orapa United), Botshelo Mangena (Police XI),Doctor David (Jwaneng Galaxy), Godiraone Modingwane (BDF XI), Lebogang Ditsele (Gaborone United), Mothusi Cooper (Mouloudia Club d’Oujda – Morocco), Phenyo Serameng (Township Rollers), Tawana Mbakile (Security Systems), Thabo Wetshoemang (Morupule Wanderers)
Strikers
Thero Setsile, Thatayaone Kgamanyane (Gaborone United), Godfrey Tauytswala (BDF XI) Kabelo Seakanyeng, Tumisang Orebonye (Olympique Club Khouribga), Kabelo Babusi (Extension Gunners).