The Zebras are set to take on Equatorial Guinea away in Malabo on March 24 before the return leg on March 28 in Francistown. Speaking at a media briefing held in Gaborone on Friday, Mpote said the technical team is aware of the unfavourable weather conditions that await the Zebras in that country. He, however, said the team will leave Gaborone earlier to acclimatise to the conditions on the other side of the continent.
The Zebras will depart for Morocco on March 13 for a training camp before leaving for Malabo on March 18. “It would help us to train and prepare under rainy conditions because we might play in the rain. In terms of preparations, we will prepare that side.
It is also humid there, it is very hot. The air has moisture and it is not the dry air that we are used to here. So leaving early will help us acclimatise to the conditions,” Mpote said. The Zebras are sitting at the bottom of the AFCON 2023 Group J qualifiers with just a point and three behind the leaders, Tunisia. Group J rivals, Libya and Equatorial Guinea are tied on three points in second and third places in the group. Mpote told journalists that his side is aiming for four points against the islanders to boost their chances of qualifying for the continental showpiece. “The reason why I am saying we should go there for a point is, when look at the (Group J) standings, any team can qualify.
So the importance of going there earlier is that we do not have excuses, that we go and work in the same conditions as them and see if we can get a point or win the game,” Mpote said. The Zebras once again have not been afforded a chance to test their mettle in international friendly games. Mpote has blamed the team’s poor FIFA rankings for this course and said the Zebras have tried and struggled to secure a match. “I think I am happy with their fitness level. What is important is to work on the technical aspects because in terms of the physical fitness, they have been playing at their teams.
Our rankings are very low and as a country, it is very embarrassing. So we are going there also to try to improve our rankings because being ranked as lowly as we are is a struggle to find a friendly match. Countries would want you to incur all the costs and we are not in a position to do so,” he said. Mpote has recalled Omaatla Kebatho and Thabang Sesinyi after impressive form in front of goals this season. Forwards, Tumisang Orebonye and Kabelo Seakanyeng, who are based in North Africa, have made the list alongside Thatayaone Ditlhokwe of Supersport United in South Africa. Swedish-based Ethany Mahoto has missed the cut. The midfielder was handed his first call-up last year and has not done enough to remain in the team.
The Squad:
Goalkeepers: Goitseone Phoko (GU), Lesenya Malapela (Orapa), Ezekiel Morake (Ethiopian Coffee, Ethiopia)
Defenders: Kitso Mangolo, Moagi Sechele (both Galaxy), Mosha Gaolaolwe (Rollers), Thato Kebue (Orapa), Alphord Velaphi, Mothusi Johnson (both GU), Tebogo Kopelang (Systems), Thatayaone Ditlhokwe (Supersport United, South Africa)
Midfielders: Lemogang Maswena, Gofaone Mabaya (both Orapa), Mothusi Cooper, Lebogang Ditsele (both GU), Phenyo Serameng (Rollers)
Forwards: Thabang Sesinyi (Galaxy), Omaatla Kebatho (Orapa), Thatayaone Kgamanyane, Thero Setsile, Onkabetse Makgantai (all GU), Mbatshi Elias (Rollers), Kabelo Seakanyeng (Olympique Club de Khouriga, Morocco), Tumisang Orebonye (USM Alger, Algeria)
