Botswana's 23-man squad has touched base in Yaounde, Cameroon to prepare ahead of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, but the absence of two key players is a major source of worry for fans.
Botswana's Player of the Season, Edwin Olerile, and the Supporters' Player of the Year, Skhana Koko, could not make the cut for coach Stanley Tshosane's 23-man squad.
The team was originally scheduled to camp in Qatar ahead of their maiden continental showpiece appearance, but due to funding issues the trip was moved to Cameroon. The issue of payment had generated a row among players who refused to train last Thursday and Friday, forcing the president of the country to step in to plead with the players to put the national interest first.
"It's disappointing that at the last minute before we travel, players are still uncertain about the bonuses,” SuperSport United's Dipsy Selolwane told the BBC.
"As much as [we were asking for] a small amount of money, they should be able to manage it without blinking but that proposal was turned down and we were given an ultimatum that either we stay or we go home. So we feel that we were not treated right."
Meanwhile, Tshosane has included injured captain Mompathi Thuma in his final squad for the Nations Cup, but he has left out speed merchant Skhana Koko, who has been in a similar situation.
Koko is touted as the next big name in Botswana football, and his omission has disappointed and surprised the country.
Botswana squad:
Goalkeepers:
Kabelo Dambe - Rollers
Noah Maposa - Gaborone United
Modiri Marumo - Bay United
Defenders:
Monametsi Kelebale - NICO
Ndiyapo Letsholathebe - Police XI
Tshepo Motlhabankwe Mochudi - Centre Chiefs
Musa Ohilwe - Gaborone United
Mosimanegape - Ramohibidu BMC
Mompathi Thuma - BDF XI
Midfielders:
Mogogi Gabonamong - SuperSport United
Boitumelo Mafoko - Santos
Joel Mogorosi Mochudi - Centre Chiefs
Pontsho Moloi - Centre Chiefs
Phenyo Mongala - Bloemfontein Celtic
Patrick Motsepe - BDF XI
Ofentse Nato - Gaborone United
Mogakolodi Ngele - Rollers
Othusitse Pilane - Mochudi Centre Chiefs
Tshireletso - BDF XI
Striker:
Moemedi Moatlhaping - Bay United
Jerome Ramatlhakwane - Unattached
Diphetogo Selolwane - SuperSport
Onalethata Tshekiso - Rollers
Former MASLOC CEO Sedina Tamakloe returns to Ghana after extradition to serve 10...
Tension in Birim North as angry NDC youth attempt to disrupt cooperative mining ...
One dead, several injured in tipper truck and fuel tanker crash on Accra–Tema Mo...
How 70-year-old building was finally demolished over fear of collapse in Osu
Minority MPs thank Afenyo-Markin for capacity-building programme in Canada
Ghana has everything needed to prosper yet graduates remain unemployed — Dr Step...
June 9: Cedi sells at GHS12.50 on forex market, GHS11.85 on BoG interbank
Stephen Amoah advocates mixed market economy to tackle rising cost of living in ...
KMA to reintroduce enhanced ‘Samansaman’ sanitation enforcement system from July...
Nyinahin Catholic SHS teacher seen fighting female student in viral video arrest...
