Malete names strong squad for COSAFA
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday October 12, 2024 10:57
. Malete released a 30-member provisional squad list for the tournament to be held in Gqeberha, South Africa, between October 22 and November 2. The Mares' technical team resisted the temptation of going the route taken by other nations that preferred their second-string sides. Malete instead, called the core of the Mares' contingent. Mares' provisional squad include all players based abroad but it excludes those in scholarship programmes in the USA. The excluded players are former Double Action and junior Mares' goalkeeper, Bame Mokime, and forward Esalenna Galekhutle, formerly with Mexican Girls. Mares' captain, Sedilame Bosija, who is enjoying fine form with Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa, leads the foreign-based players' list. This season, Bosija has claimed the Sundowns' number one jersey and has kept seven clean sheets in as many games for 'Banyana Ba Style'. Namibian side, FC Ongos' duo of goalkeeper Lesego Moeng and full-back, Boitumelo Gammu, are in the mix, including Turkey-based defender, Lone Gaofetoge.
Central defender, Masego Montsho, who is based in China with FC Henan, has also been selected after missing the previous Mares' squad whilst Zambian-based, Mokgabo Thanda made the cut. Following a long injury layoff, full-back Veronica Mogotsi, is back in the squad while midfielder, Oratile Rathari misses the squad. Malete will trim the squad to 20 players ahead of the start of the championship with new faces in the squad including former Under-20 shot-stopper, Doris Motshwegwe and Bonang Oteng, hoping they make the COSAFA trip. The Mares are in Group B alongside defending champions, Malawi, Madagascar, and Mauritius. The team will begin their quest for a maiden title against, Malawi on October 23, before they take on Mauritius on October 26 whilst the final group game will be against Madagascar on October 28.
Full Mares' provisional squad Goalkeepers: Sedilame Bosija (Sundowns, South Africa), Tlamelo Pheresi (GU), Lesego Moeng (FC Ongos, Namibia), Doris Motshegwe (Wonder Girls) Defenders: Masego Montsho (FC Henan, China), Mokgabo Thanda (Green Buffaloes, Zambia), Lone Gaofetoge (Harrarigucu Spor Kulubu, Turkey), Bonang Oteng, Veronica Mogotsi (both Double Action), Gonayamodimo Macha (GU), Kesegofetse Mochawe, Desiree Kenyaditswe (both GU), Boitumelo Gammu (FC Ongos, Namibia), and Lorato Motlogelwa (Makufa SC) Midfielders: Nancy Baeletsi, Laone Moloi, Golebaone Selebatso (all GU), Tshegofatso Montsho (Mazzotie FC), and Precious Tlhapi (Rollers) Forwards: Balotlhanyi Johannes, Peggy Manewe, Lesego Radiakanyo (all Double Action), Leungo Senwelo (Mazzotie FC), Jessica Maponga, Atang Busang, Keitumetse Dithebe, Jessica Modise, Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse (all GU), Nondi Mahlasela (Prisons XI), and Mitchell Abueng (BDF XI)