Botswana's Under-23 football side, the Young Zebras, open their second round U23 AFCON qualifier against Guinea at the National Stadium on 11 November, with the return leg set for 17 November in Guinea. Head coach Michael Mogaladi has called his squad into camp since Monday to prepare for the tie that decides who advances to the final qualifying round.
According to TheVoiceBW, which reported the story on 6 November, the junior Zebras swept past Seychelles in the first round a month ago with two 2-1 wins, a 4-2 aggregate victory that earned them this sterner test against the West Africans. Guinea, nicknamed the National Elephants, received a bye in the first round and are known for their physicality and quick transitions.
Mogaladi Demands Discipline and Focus
Mogaladi, 44, a former Zebra who played for Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Maritzburg United, has been drilling his players on the demands of the occasion. He knows the opposition personally, having faced Guinea's senior national team during his playing days.
quot;We are going to ensure that our boys know the stakes are higher than before hence they need to be strong and rotate the ball quicker so that they become more superior than the opponents. I played against Guinea National Football Team during my time, they are physical and also skillful thus they can hurt us. However, we are more than ready for the challenge," Mogaladi told TheVoiceBW.
The coach has also identified the weaknesses that nearly undermined the Seychelles win. He was blunt about the lapses that cost his side goals in both legs.
quot;We have identified that we struggled defensively against Seychelles. Our plan is to instill discipline on the boys; when they lose the ball in the offensive areas they must immediately track back to ensure that we do not concede. In addition, concentration lapse is one of the key areas we need to work on; as you remember that we conceded from a throw-in and that is absurd. We also need to compact our midfield to avoid giving opponents space to punish us," he said.
Club Inactivity Poses a Selection Problem
The camp will also serve to rebuild match fitness, a real concern for the recently appointed coach. Most of his 26-man squad is not getting regular minutes at club level, and Mogaladi did not hide his frustration.
quot;To be honest, a few of my key squad members are playing merely as substitutes at their clubs while others have been reduced to being bench warmers entirely. That makes my life difficult as I am trying to build a match-fit team that can qualify," he griped.
There is a lesson in this for young Batswana footballers. A professional career is built on personal responsibility: players who cannot command club minutes arrive at national duty short of sharpness. The remedy lies in harder work at their clubs, not excuses at the camp gate.
Why the First Leg Matters Most
Unlike the Seychelles tie, which was played entirely at the National Stadium because no Seychelles venue met CAF standards, this time the Young Zebras must travel for the return fixture. That places the burden of the tie on the home leg. A commanding performance in Gaborone on 11 November gives the side something to defend in Guinea six days later.
History favors Botswana at home against this opponent. The senior Zebras famously beat Guinea in a World Cup qualifier in Francistown in November 2023, proof that West African physicality can be matched by organization and resolve when the home crowd stands behind its own.
Mogaladi insisted his core approach will not change between the two legs, and he called on the public to fill the stadium.
quot;Football does not change regardless of whether you are playing at home or away. Success comes down to sticking to the game plan of attacking and defending well. However, playing at home provides an extra advantage, one we plan to fully exploit in front of the home fans!" he declared.
Affordable Tickets for a Home Fortress
The Botswana Football Association has set ticket prices at P20 for the open stands and P30 for the grandstand, a sensible move that puts the match within reach of ordinary families. A packed National Stadium is worth a goal's head start to any side, and Batswana supporters have shown before that they can turn Gaborone into a fortress.
The prize is significant. Beyond a place at the U23 AFCON in Egypt in 2027, where eight teams will compete for African glory, the tournament also offers qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. For a small footballing nation, this is a rare and valuable pathway, and it runs directly through Gaborone on 11 November.
The draw for the third round has yet to be made. For now, the business at hand is Guinea, and the Young Zebras have the chance to take a firm step toward Egypt 2027 in front of their own people.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the Young Zebras play Guinea?
The first leg is on 11 November at the National Stadium in Gaborone, with the return leg on 17 November in Guinea.
How did Botswana reach this round?
Botswana beat Seychelles 2-1 in both first round legs, winning 4-2 on aggregate. Both matches were played at the National Stadium because no Seychelles venue met CAF standards.
How much are the tickets?
The BFA has priced open stand tickets at P20 and grandstand tickets at P30 for the home leg in Gaborone.
What is at stake in this qualifier?
The winner advances to the third and final qualifying round for the U23 AFCON in Egypt in 2027, which also serves as the route to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.