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Soccer News of Thursday, 19 January 2012

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African Cup of Nations 2012: Botswana Preview

Factbox on African Nations Cup finalists Botswana (Group D):
BOTSWANA

African Nations Cup record

Previous appearances in finals: none

Coach: Stanley Tshosane is an army colonel who has been a part-time coach in the Botswana premier league throughout his career but has now been thrust into an arena beyond his wildest dreams. He has been in charge of the Botswana side since mid-2008 and guided them through their surprise qualification for the finals. He also had a spell as coach for nine months in 2001 and 2002 and was brought back six years later to replace the Englishman Colwyn Rowe.

Key players:
Dipsy Selolwane (SuperSport United). Age: 33 Pos: Midfield
Selolwane had a brief spell in Denmark, which makes him the only player from his country to have competed for a European club. He also spent four years in the MLS in the U.S. but most of his career has been played in South Africa. Selolwane has played for the national team for the last 15 years and said he never believed Botswana would ever qualify for a major tournament.
Mogogi Gabonamong (SuperSport United). Age: 29 Pos: Midfielder
Debuted as a 16-year-old defender in 1999 for the national side but has since become an defensive midfielder who is the anchor of the Botswana team.
Gabonamong's displeasure with the bonus payments for the qualifying matches saw him boycott the side for the first part of the preliminaries.
Jerome Ramatlhakwane (unattached). Age: 26 Pos: Forward.

Five key goals in the qualifiers were vital in Botswana's campaign, including the first goal of the campaign away against Tunisia which set up the momentum for their surprise qualification. His club career has stalled over the last two years because of a contract dispute with his Cape Town club Santos.

FIFA world ranking Dec 2011: 95th

Prospects: Botswana exceeded their wildest expectations by reaching the finals from a tough group in a virtual canter. A first ever Nations Cup appearance is a top achievement but the tournament itself might be a difficult wake-up call for the southern African nation, whose small population means they do not have anything near the necessary strength in depth.