Botswana name provisional selection for Cosafa Cup

Botswana caretaker coach Letang Kgengwenyane has announced a 26-man provisional squad for the 2021 Cosafa Cup as he prepared to lead the side after head coach Adel Amrouche was handed a leave of absence.

The Zebras have been placed in the same Group A as hosts South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini for the July 6-18 competition that will be staged in Nelson Mandela Bay.

There are a number of familiar faces in the selection, not least Kabelo Seakanyeng, midfielder Segolame Boy and playmaker Mothusi Cooper.

Botswana were finalists in the 2019 competition, the last one played, but lost 1-0 to Zambia in the decider. They also reached the final in 2016 but went down 3-2 to South Africa and have yet to lift the regional championship.

They open their campaign this year against South Africa on July 6, before a meeting with Lesotho three days later. They take on Eswatini in their final pool match on July 13.

Botswana provisional Cosafa Cup squad:

Goalkeepers: Ezekiel Morake, Lesenya Malepela and Keeagile Kgosipula

Defenders: Goitseone Legopelo, Thabo Leinanyane, Mothusi Johnson, Kitso Mangolo, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, Thato Kebue, Mosha Gaolaolwe and Fortunate Thulare

Midfielders: Mothusi Cooper, Godiraone Modingwane, Gape Gagoangwe, Kutlwelo Mpolokang, Gape Mohutsiwa, Segolame Boy and Thatayaone Kgamanyane

Strikers: Mpho Kgomo, Tshepo Malgas, Thero Setsile, Kago Monyake, Kabelo Seakanyeng, Elias Mbatshi, Tumisang Orebonye and Godfrey Tauyatswala