Mpote's reign begins with Bafana test

Kabelo Boranabi | Tuesday September 27, 2022 11:58

Mogomotsi ‘Teenage’ Mpote, coach of Botswana during the 2019 Cosafa Cup semifinals match between Lesotho and Botswana at Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban on 05 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Mpote is to be confirmed on a three-year contract and tomorrow he is to begin his reign with a rival contest against Bafana Bafana.

The two Southern Africa rivals will face off at the FNB Stadium in an international friendly match on Tuesday evening. It is a meet between the old foes as Mpote looks to start his term with an impressive result.

A tie Bafana Bafana has dominated across the years. In 13 meets since 2016, Bafana Bafana has 10 wins compared to Zebras’ two while the two teams settled for a draw once.

With the record against the local boys ahead of the tie, Mpote’s reign is seen as a turnaround at the Lekidi Football Centre.

The Botswana Football Association (BFA) chief executive officer, Mfolo Mfolo has stated that there is now an expectation to win every Zebras’ game. “We have spent close to four years bringing in a pool of players from Under 17, Under 20 and Under 23 and they are all here, now we are in a position to win every game we play. We are bringing back the buzz from 2012,” he said.

Mpote has called up probably the best squad the Zebras has currently. North African-based Tumisang Orebonye and Gape Mohutsiwa have been named in the 23-man squad alongside UAE based Kabelo Seakanyeng and Thatayaone Ditlhokwe of SuperSport United in South Africa.

Township Rollers’ duo being Phenyo Serameng and Onkarabile Ratanang have also made a return to the team.

The Zebras will tomorrow, however, meet a Bafana side that will be entering the friendly tie with their heads held high. Bafana Bafana thumped Sierra Leone 4-0 on Saturday at the FNB stadium. Kick-off is at 3pm.

The Zebras Squad: Goalkeepers: Goitseone Phoko (GU), Lesenya Malapela (Orapa United), Ryan Brown (Galaxy) Defenders: Mosha Gaolaolwe, Onkarabile Ratanang (both Rollers), Chicco Molefe (Police XI), Moagi Letsholo (Galaxy), Goitseone Legopelo (Sua Flamingoes), Thatayaone Ditlhokwe (SuperSport Utd, South Africa), Benson Mangolo (Galaxy) Midfielders: Mothusi Cooper, Lebogang Ditsele, Gape Thibedi (all GU), Phenyo Serameng (Rollers), Gofaone Mabaya (Orapa United), Gape Mohutsiwa (AS de Chlef, Algeria), Godiraone Modingwane (BDF XI) Forwards: Boakeditswe Talane (Orapa United), Thabiso Boti (Police XI), Molaodi Tlhalefang (Systems), Tlhalefo Molebatsi (Rollers), Thero Setsile (GU), Kabelo Seakanyeng (Dibaba FC, UAE), Tumisang Orebonye (Olympique de Khorouiga, Morocco)