Botswana Under-17 coach Tapaphiwa Gaebolae has named her squad for the COSAFA Women’s Under-20 Championship to be staged in Nelson Mandela Bay from August 1-11.

Botswana will be using the majority of the Under-17 team, along with a few Under-20 players. This is the inaugural staging of the regional championship in this age group, despite COSAFA having managed the bi-annual Region 5 Games that are played at an Under-20 level for women.

Gaebolae will use this tournament as preparations for COSAFA Under-17 Championship that will be staged in Mauritius in September, also the first time that tournament has been played as COSAFA ramps up its investment in women’s football.

Gaebolae said her players will learn a lot and grow, as some of the players in the squad featured in the 2017 Under-17 World Cup qualifiers, and also the 2018 Region 5 that was held in Botswana.

The team is currently in camp and will have a few friendly games with local teams before departing to Nelson Mandela Bay. The coach is confident that they will return home with a medal.

Botswana has been drawn in Group B and will take on Tanzania in their opener on August 2. After that they will face Zambia two days later, before rounding out their pool against Eswatini on August 6.

Two teams in each group will advance to the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, in a late change from Group A participants Angola, coach Lourdes Lutonda has been replaced by Maninho Loide, a former player who also represented Angola at Under-20 level.

Botswana squad

Goalkeepers: Doris Motshegwa, Sharon Sedimonyane

Defenders: Pearl Sikwane, Annah Sechane, Lorato Motlogelwa, Thuto Radipitse, Christina Munyatsi

Midfielders: Bofelo Rantsho, Obonetse Rathari, Lone Kgalaeng, Segakuludu Didukanyane,Marryjane Monyake, Casandra Zulu, Theo George, Getrude Seambala

Strikers: Leungo Senwelo, Retlhabile Segobye, Kewarona Kelaotswe, Phetso Selaledi