Botswana national team coach Morena Ramoreboli has offered a struggling PSL star a lifeline as he finalises his squad for next month’s AFCON in Morocco.
Botswana’s only player in the Betway Premiership, Benson Kitso Mangolo, faces uncertainty amid his struggles since switching to the PSL.
The enterprising left-back has struggled for game time since his move to Richards Bay FC at the beginning of the season.
The former Jwaneng Galaxy defender has been reduced to a bit-part role, starting only one game this season as he plays second fiddle to club teammate Sbani Mntungwa.
Ramoreboli, who guided the Zebras to their second-ever AFCON qualification, acknowledged the worrying situation for his former player at Jwaneng Galaxy.
The Zebras mentor explained his inclusion of the 27-year-old defender despite his situation, adding, “There’s still time”.
“There are two things we looked at when making the selections,” Ramoreboli told SAFJA members during a Zoom session on Tuesday.
RAMOREBOLI EXPLAINS REASONING BEHIND INCLUDING MANGOLO IN PROVISIONAL SQUAD
“Some of the players, we know they were coming from injuries, and some were saying there’s still time. They might give him some minutes before the Africa Cup of Nations. Secondly, you have about four weeks of preparation. Will you be able to train and activate those you feel need to be activated, even if they may not be able to play the required minutes or so? But what was important was to say let’s have everybody so that we don’t deny ourselves a chance of selecting the best team we can have.”
However, Mangolo’s situation is further complicated by the form of other left-back contenders, notably the experienced Mothusi Johnson, who is a regular feature for his local club, Gaborone United. Botswana also has Chicco Molefe, who has been in fine form for Jwaneng Galaxy and Mochudi Centre Chiefs’ Brian Tafi.
“We have a couple of options. So, I think for us, it’s a matter of saying, ‘You have time.’ If you go into a camp on time, you’ll be able to drill and activate the ones you want, maybe fast-track their readiness. And also, there are still a couple of matches to be played before the start of our preparation. So we are looking at that.”
Mangolo, who joined the Natal Rich Boys with high expectations, will now have a short window to impress the technical team as the final squad announcement looms. With Botswana set to face Senegal, Benin, and DR Congo in Group D of the tournament, having match-fit players will be crucial for the Zebras to make a memorable run in only their second appearance.
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