Botswana’s senior national team, the Zebras will play a friendly match against Angola on Wednesday in Luanda. The match is part of the preparations by the Zebras for the qualifications of 2015 Africa Cup of nations (Afcon) to be held in Morocco.
Botswana is in group G alongside powerful Africa nations being Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal. The Zebras team that went to Angola is mostly composed of local players with the exception of Jerome Ramatlhakwana and Ofentse Nato.
Ramtlhakwana is still looking for a club after leaving Democratic Republic of Congo side, Don Bosco. Nato is still yet to finalise a move to Indian Premier League where he will be on loan from Spanish side, Atletico Madrid.
The Zebras likely perilous journey starts in about four weeks away to Tunisia and it will take more than a concerted effort for the team to qualify.
Several players in the team are new in the rough international terrains together with the coach, James Peter Butler.
This is not helped by the fact that the qualification will be played within a short period of time and this will be a disadvantage to those countries that do not have a poll of experienced players.
The friendly match will however afford the local players with much needed exposure and experience.
Playing Angola is also a positive development for the team because the Portuguese speaking nation is one of the strongest teams in Southern Africa. There are even several Angolan players in some elite leagues around the world.
Angola has also been of late been busy luring some of their naturalized players in Europe to come and play for the country of their origin. The country was for a long time been engulfed in civil war and that led to many Angolans seeking refugee around the world. This led to many Angolan talented players being born away and ended up playing for countries of their refugee especially in Europe. The Angola government is now fighting tooth and nail to at least bring on board those who have played at youth level so that they can easily represent The ‘Palanca Negras’ as Angola is renown.
ZEBRAS LIST FOR ANGOLA AWAY FRIENDLY GAME??GOALKEEPERS:?
ÔÇó Mwampole Masule (Township Rollers)?ÔÇó Wagare Dikaga (Extension Gunners)??DEFENDERS:?
ÔÇó Leutlwetse Tshireletso (Township Rollers)
ÔÇó Edwin Olerile (Gaborone United)?ÔÇó Mosha Gaolaolwe (BDF XI)?ÔÇó Obonye Moswate (Township Rollers)?ÔÇó Obuile Ncenga (Township Rollers)?ÔÇó Otlantshekela Mooketsi (Township Rollers)?ÔÇó Pelontle Lerole (BDF XI)??MIDFIELDERS:?
ÔÇó Ofentse Nato (Un-Attached)?ÔÇó Kabelo Seakanyeng (BDF XI)?ÔÇó Bonolo Phuduhudu (BDF XI)?ÔÇó Lemponye Tshireletso (Mochudi Centre Chiefs)?ÔÇó Thato Ogopotse (BDF XI)?ÔÇó Galabgwe Moyana (Mochudi Centre Chiefs)??STRIKERS:?
ÔÇó Jerome Ramatlhakwana (Un-Attached) ?ÔÇó Mokgathi Mokgathi (BDF XI)?ÔÇó Onalethata Tshekiso (Mochudi Centre Chiefs)
