Bafana Bafana are expected to bring their A-game when they meet Botswana in this year’s COSAFA Cup quarter-finals as players like Teboho Mokoena and Keagan Dolly are expected to audition for a possible place in the Africa Cup of Nations squad while Botswana will be hoping to cause an upset against the tournament favourites.
COSAFA Cup Quarter Final
Sunday 2 June
Princess Magogo Stadium
15:00
To Win
South Africa 9/20
Draw 26/10
Botswana 6/1
South Africa
There are some familiar faces in coach David Notoane’s side as the likes of Luther Singh, Bongani Sam, Teboho Mokoena, Zakhele Lepasa, Reyaad Pieterse and Phakamani Mahlambi will also be on display. Speaking of Lepasa, he is in red hot form as he has helped his TS Galaxy side to lift the Nedbank Cup by scoring a brace in the semi-finals against Golden Arrows and his solitary strike in the final saw his team beat Kaizer Chiefs 1-0.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Mondli Mpoto (Bloemfontein Celtic), Darren Johnson (Ajax Cape Town), Reyaad Pieterse (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Defenders: Thendo Mukumela (Ajax CT), Keanu Cupido (Cape Town City), Reeve Frosler (Kaizer Chiefs), Tercious Malepe (Chippa United), Katlego Mohamme (SuperSport United), Bongani Sam (Bloemfontein Celtic), Sandie Mthethwa (Richards Bay FC)
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Athenkosi Dlala, Sipho Mbule, Kamohelo Mahlatsi, Jamie Webber (all SuperSport United), Kegan Dolly (Montpellier, France), Grant Margeman (Ajax CT), Kgaogelo Sekgota (Vitoria Setubal, Portugal)
Strikers: Phakamani Mahlambi (Sundowns), Zakhele Lepasa (TS Galaxy), Jemondre Dickens (Baroka), Luther Singh GD (Chaves, Portugal), Liam Jordan (Koge FC, Denmark)
Botswana
The Zebras have brought players like former Highlands Park midfielder Lebogang Ditsele‚ and ex-Baroka FC midfielder Mpho Kgaswane‚ who now plays for Zira in Azerbaijan. The last time these sides met was in last year’s plate final which Bafana Bafana won 3-0. Other ex PSL players in the squad include Joel Mogorosi and Ofentse Nato.
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
Prediction: South Africa (9/20)
I think 6/1 is certainly enticing but I don’t see Botswana holding their own against a youthful, hungry and talented Bafana Bafana side. Put your money on David Notoane’s men at 9/20.
Written by Benedict Ngwenya