FRANCISTOWN: Eleven Angels mentor, Seemo Mpatane has said Eric Ookame should not get carried away by his recent call-up to the national team.
Zebras’ coach Mogomotsi Mpote released the provisional national team list for the upcoming 2025 AFCON tie against Lybia, which features a few experienced players. The dead rubber will be played at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in two weeks.
Mpatane does not have any doubt that Ookame can go on and establish himself as one of the most enterprising forwards in the country. Ookame has enjoyed a stellar run in the second half of the season and is one of the few players who earned their first national team call-ups.
"I told him to stay grounded. A lot of players got only one call up and that was it. He should not be big-headed and think that he has made it. The call-up should motivate him to work hard,” Mpatane said.
“He was somewhat a bit shocked that he got the call-up and is obviously excited. As a coach, it is always good to see your players getting national team call-ups. It shows that you are doing something right.”
Mpatane described Ookame as a workaholic and expressed joy that his hard work is slowly paying off.
"When he first came here he was a bit raw but I could see that he has a lot of potential. In the first round I told him at he would not be an outright starter. We wanted to help him improve especially when it comes to helping the team to break the defensive line with his speed and anticipation. He's a player who wants to improve every day. I am very certain he can help the country.”
The 22-year-old started the season on a low note but has now become a vital component of the team since the January departure of Monty Enosa to Masitaoka. Ookame has been one of the most prolific forwards in the league in the second round. He has scored eight goals since his full debut in January.
Meanwhile, Mpote has omitted some experienced campaigners such as Omaatla Kebatho, Simisani Mathumo and Lebogang Ditsele. He has called on several youngsters to his side such as Morupule Wanderers’ midfielder Ernest Ngwaga and Orapa United’s Koketso Majafi. Enosa is among the youngsters who have been given a call-up.
