Botswana name squad to face Bafana Bafana

Botswana coach Mogomotsi Mpote has named his squad to face South Africa in the 2019 Cosafa Cup quarterfinals on June 2 and included veterans Joel Mogorosi and Ofentse Nato.

The pair have plenty of Premier Soccer League (PSL) experience in the South African top flight between them‚ with attacking midfielder Mogorosi‚ 34‚ a former stalwart at Bloemfontein Celtic and a key figure in them lifting the Telkom Knockout in 2012 with the winning goal in the final against Mamelodi Sundowns.

Midfielder Nato played at both Bidvest Wits and Mpumalanga Black Aces‚ and was bizarrely arrested over claims of livestock theft earlier this year before the charges were withdrawn.

Also included in the squad is Onkabetse Makgantai‚ Botswana’s leading scorer in the Cosafa Cup with six goals‚ and who played this season for Baroka FC‚ though he was limited to just 12 starts.

He did manage to find the back of the net against Sundowns and will likely be the dangerman for the young South African squad.

Other familiar names include former Highlands Park midfielder Lebogang Ditsele‚ and ex-Baroka FC midfielder Mpho Kgaswane‚ who now plays for Zira in Azerbaijan.

South Africa have met Botswana in the last four Cosafa Cup tournaments in a row.

In 2015 they played to a 0-0 draw in the quarterfinals‚ with The Zebras claiming victory on post-match penalties.

South Africa then won 3-2 in the final in 2016‚ claimed a 2-0 success in the Plate semi-finals a year later‚ as well as a 3-0 victory in the Plate final in Polokwane in 2018.

The South African side will be coached this year by David Notoane with the majority of the players selected with an eye on the Under-23 team.

There are some exceptions though‚ such as Montpellier midfielder Keagan Dolly and Sundowns goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse.

Botswana squad:

Goalkeepers:

Ezekiel Morake‚ Lesego Bosekeng‚ Lesenya Malapela

Defenders:

Thatayaone Ditlhokwe‚ Fortunate Thulare‚ Mosha Gaolaolwe‚ Thabo Leinanyane‚ Mothusi Johnson‚ Simisani Mathumo

Midfielders:

Thero Setsile‚ Lebogang Ditsele‚ Gofaone Mabaya‚ Segolame Boy‚ Gilbert Baruti‚ Ofentse Nato‚ Mothusi Cooper‚ Mpho Kgaswane

Strikers:

Tumisang Orebonye‚ Joel Mogorosi‚ Onkabetse Makgantai