Thursday, May 1, 2025

Mogaladi makes it back into Zebras camp

After being sidelined for sometime, Michael Mogaladi has been recalled to the national team that plays Kenya at the end of August in a friendly encounter.

The last time Mogaladi played for the national team was last year against Madagascar in the qualifications for both the 2010 World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations.

Although the BFA did not make it public, Mogaladi was reported to have been a ring leader in threats to hold the country at ransom before the Madagascar match.

He, together with other players, demanded their outstanding bonuses and threatened not to play. The players ended up playing but went on to lose the all important game by a solitary goal and thus ending the dreams of the country to play in the next stages of the qualifying matches.

The decision to drop him seems not to have disturbed him as he continued to give a star performance for his club, Mochudi Centre Chiefs.

His role in the midfield has been a bit of a headache and his experience might help lead youngsters like Ofentse Nato.
At Centre Chiefs, Mogaladi was relegated to the bench. Another national team asset, Gobonyeone ‘Shoes’ Selefa. Selefa, was slowly making it to the national team and last season helped his club win both the league championship and Coca-Cola tournament.

In the absence of both the first and second choice goalkeepers, Notwane goalminder, Botlhe Moralo seems to be the automatic choice. In the past, he made it in the provincial squad but could not make it to the final one.

Moralo, on the other hand, has been the pillar of Notwane for the past two seasons. Even though his team did not finish in a respectable position, he was in most cases the saviour of the team in the brink of defeat. If he can be given a chance, Moralo might give other experienced goalkeepers a run for their money. He has an excellent height that most goalkeepers lack.

Other unfamiliar faces in the Zebras squad are Keabetswe Jenamo, Ontse Ntesa, Bonolo Fraser (Ecco City Green), Patrick Lenyeletse (Boteti Young Fighters) and Mandla Mgadla of relegated Mogoditshane Fighters.

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