adminCup of Nations finals starting in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea next week.
The Zebras, who had a fairy-tale run in the qualifiers, were given a reality check when they appeared ordinary in their last preparatory game against an under-strength and hastily-assembled Zimbabwe side at the University of Botswana last week.
The match ended goalless and, for a side that is heading for the big stage, coach Stanley Tshosane and his charges were left in deep soul-searching.
But Mapeza, whose charges fell by the wayside in a campaign littered with a number of distractions, said Botswana are looking good although they need to improve on some areas, especially their finishing.
“I think they have a good side and we cannot judge them with this game (against the Warriors),” said Mapeza.
“It will be a different ball game altogether at Afcon and if they can manage two draws and one win then they have a chance to progress to the next round.
“The friendly against Zimbabwe should not be the yard-stick. They had their opportunities to score but were twice denied by (Washington) Arubi just before half-time break.
“They came back stronger in the second half but they could not convert the opportunities they got.”
The Zebras were drawn in Group D together with one of the tournament favourites Ghana, whom they meet in their opening game on January 21.
West African sides Mali and Guinea complete the pool, which has been dubbed by some as the “Group of Death.”
But no one in the group will risk taking Botswana lightly following their recent exploits which earned them the Caf Africa Team of the Year award.
The Zebras stunned the continent last year when they became the first team to qualify for the finals ahead of Tunisia in an enlarged group.
They had started their qualification campaign with a shock away victory over Tunisia, then subsequently won at home against Chad, Togo, and the Carthage Eagles before drawing both home and away fixtures against Malawi, to book their place.
Midfielder Joel Mogorosi, who is one of the vital cogs in the team, said the nation has high expectations but everyone is hoping they will not crumble under pressure.
The Botswana Football Association and their major sponsors Orange have been in an aggressive marketing drive for the Zebras and the hype has reached fever pitch in the diamond nation.
Fridays have been declared Zebras Day and almost everywhere the eye is met by the Zebras’ colours.
“To tell the truth the whole nation is excited by the prospect of playing at the Africa Cup of Nations. We are really looking forward to it since it is our first time,” said Mogorosi.
“Of course there will be high level competition but we are not afraid. This is a game of football and to be a winner you have to be prepared for everything. It’s going to be such an experience.”
Before the final preparatory game against Zimbabwe, the Zebras, who held giants Nigeria 0-0 away, had spent nearly a month conditioning their squad at the state-of-the-art Royal Bafokeng Sports Complex in South Africa.
They further boosted their morale when they thumped Lesotho 3-0 during their stay in South Africa.
“We had a very good preparation at the Royal Bafokeng. It’s a state-of-the-art facility which has everything that you may need to make the best preparations. It was good for the team,” said Magorosi.
“Our strength lies in our defence. I believe we are a very compact and we defend well but we need to work hard upfront.
“Our strikerforce needs to be sharp because if you look at the game (against Zimbabwe), we had some chances but somehow we were let down by our finishing.”
Tshosane named his final squad after the match against the Warriors and included six South Africa-based players – Phenyo Mongala (Bloemfontein Celtic), Dipsy Selolwane, Mogogi Gabonamong (both SuperSport United), Boitumelo Mafoka (Santos), Madiri Marumo and Moemedi Moatlhaping (both Bay United).
Striker Jerome Ramatlhakwane has also been included in the 23-man squad despite not having played any club football for the past six months due to a contract dispute with Santos.
Ramatlhakwane was in good form for the country to finish as the top goal scorer with five goals to his credit in the qualifiers.
“We are also the favourites in our country, but the most important thing like I always said is good preparation.
This is our first time and we have to be up to the task,” said coach Tshosane.
Botswana squad
Goalkeepers: Modiri Marumo (Bay United, South Africa), Noah Maposa (Gaborone United), Kabelo Dambe (Rollers)
Defenders
Mompathi Thuma (BDF XI), Ndiyapo Letsholathebe (Police XI), Musa Ohilwe (Gaborone United), Mosimanegape Ramohibidu (BMC), Monametsi Kelebale (NICO), Tshepo Motlhabankwe (Mochudi Centre Chiefs)
Midfielders
Mogogi Gabonamong (SuperSport United, South Africa), Joel Mogorosi, Pontsho Moloi, Othusitse Pilane (all Mochudi Centre Chiefs), Boitumelo Mafoko (Cape Town Santos, South Africa) Ofentse Nato (Gaborone United), Phenyo Mongala (Bloemfontein Celtic, South Africa), Patrick Motsepe, Lemponye Tshireletso (BDF XI), Mogakolodi Ngele (Rollers)
Strikers
Jerome Ramatlhakwane (Unattached), Diphetogo Selolwane (SuperSport, South Africa), Onalethata Tshekiso (Rollers), Moemedi Moatlhaping (Bay United, South Africa)
Online Reporter