Under fire Zebras coach, James Peter Butler has already released his preliminary squad that will face former African champions, Tunisia this coming weekend. The match will be the qualifications for 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) and Zebras are already out and will just be playing for formality. Although Butler has kept almost the same team he has been using in the past weeks, he however has a few surprises in the team.
Gaborone United winger Kgololo Kgogobi has found his way into the team after an impressive performance for his team. Other notable inclusions are the duo of Rollers goalkeeper, Mwampule Masule and Gunners midfielder, Topo Piet. Masule has not played club football for some time after he sustained off the field injury and since recovering he has been playing second fiddle to Michael Pepukani. Piet is also a surprise inclusion because since joining Gunners from Nico United he has not really been at his best. South African based, Mogakolodi Ngele is also making his way to the team after having a fallout with the technical team last month after the Egypt encounter. It looks he has since smoked a peace pipe with mostly head coach, Butler.
There is still no place for Indian based Ofentse Nato who also had a fallout with Butler before Egyptian game. Butler vowed never to call Nato again until he apologises for his alleged indiscipline while the latter also made it clear that he has nothing to apologise for. On the other hand Botswana has to win the Tunisian match in Gaborone and Senegal away in order to redeem their pride because they have not won a single match from four matches played. Zebras have even scored just a single goal from four matches in the first match against Tunisia, courtesy of Joel Mogorosi. Zebras however have for the past years shown that they can vigorously fight with the Tunisians. In the previous qualifications for 2012 (Afcon), Zebras defeated Tunisia home and away. For the 2015 qualifications, Zebras have already lost 2-1 to the Carthage Eagles in a closely contested match. However, the last two matches might also be the deciding factor for Zebras coach, Butler’s future. Although the Botswana Football Association are behind him, losing the remaining matches might lead to supporters calling for his head. It once happened with another Briton, Colwyn Rowe and he ended up calling it a day.
Full team
Goalkeepers
Modiri Marumo (Polokwane City)
Kabelo Dambe (Platinum Stars)
Masule (Township Rollers)
Defenders
Edwin Olerile (Gaborone United
Obonye Moswate (Township Rollers)
Leutwetse Tshireletso (Township Rollers)
Mosha Gaolaolwe (BDF XI)
Pelontle Lerole (BDF XI)
Boitumelo Mafoko (Galaxy XI)
Gogontle Marumo (Notwane)
Othusitse Mpharitlhe (Notwane)
Midfielders
Thato Ogopotse (BDF XI)
Topo Piet (Extension Gunners)
Bonolo Phuduhudu (BDF XI)
Kabelo Seakanyeng (BDF XI)
Richard Legwaila (Nico United)
Lemponye Tshireletso (Mochudi Centre Chiefs)
Mokgathi Mokgathi (Nico United)
Khumoetsile Kufigwa (Nico United)
Segolame Boy (Township Rollers)
Kgololo Kgogobi (Gaborone United)
Lebogang Ditsile (Galaxy XI)
Ngele (Platinum Stars)
Mogogi Gabonamong (Bloemfontein Celtic)
Mogorosi (Bloemfontein Celtic)
Strikers
Kenanao Kgetholetsile (BMC)
Jerome Ramatlhakwana (unattached)
