Pitcher Kagiso Mogale highlights Botswana preliminary roster for WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Africa Qualifier
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<p>Botswana's Men's National Softball Team head coach Tony Moyo revealed his preliminary roster for the <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Africa Qualifier (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/news/wbsc-africa-announces-dates-venues-of-baseball-softball-baseball5-world-cup-qualifiers" target="_blank">WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Africa Qualifier</a></span></strong>, to be played in Mokopane, Waterberg District, Limpopo in South Africa, from 26 February to 3 March. </p>
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<p>A total of 30 players have been included in the list, including Kagiso Mogale, a two-time World Cup pitcher who led Botswana to an eighth-place finish in 2017, making the playoffs for the first and only time.</p>
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<p>The preliminary roster is as follows:</p>
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<ol><li>Oreeditse Bareng - P</li><li>Munashe Chibinyani - OF</li><li>Brian Dekoker - SS/2B/OF</li><li>Mathews Dibeela - 2B</li><li>Tshepo Ditiro - OF</li><li>Seabe Fane - </li><li>Obakeng Gaobatege - C</li><li>Unaswi Gudu - C</li><li>Kefilve Kenosi - 3B/SS/OF</li><li>Ofentse Ketshogile - SS/2B</li><li>Albert Kganetsano - OF</li><li>Moses Kgosimore </li><li>Mooketsi Lekomola - SS/2B/OF</li><li>Tuelo Mack - 1B</li><li>Pamidzani Madzulugwa - P</li><li>Kagiso Mogale - P</li><li>Oneeng Monare - 2B/OF</li><li>Rannaneng Mothudi - C</li><li>Boikanyo Motlaleng - P</li><li>Karabo Motsholathebe - P</li><li>Therisano Motsilenyane - C</li><li>James Mutoroke - OF/SS/2B</li><li>Tefo Ntswaneng - OF</li><li>Reuben Office - 2B</li><li>Kunyalala Samuel - P</li><li>Zibisane Samuel - SS/2B</li><li>Kaone Sekate - C/SS/2B</li><li>Eric Simwanza - OF/1B/3B</li><li>Mojamorago Speackson - OF</li><li>Thabang Tshipa - 3B/2B</li></ol>
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<ul><li>Head Coach - Tony Moyo</li><li>Assistant Coach- Tebogo Makacana</li><li>Assistant Coach - Tapiso Otimile</li><li>Development Coach - Jurry Manaka</li><li>Manager - MacDonald Fologang.</li></ul>
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<p>Botswana, ranked No. 33 in the <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://rankings.wbsc.org/list/softball/men" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="WBSC/KONAMI Men's Softball World Ranking (opens in a new tab)">WBSC/KONAMI Men's Softball World Ranking</a></span></strong>, will play in South Africa for one of the two available spots for the African continent in the World Cup.</p>
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<p>Botswana's last appearance in a Men's Softball World Cup was in Prague, in 2019, when the Africans finished in 14th place. Eight players from that team are included in this preliminary roster, including position players such as Dekoker, Ditiro, Gudu and Ketshogile; and pitchers like Madzulugwa, Mogale, Motsholathebe and Kunyalala Samuel.</p>
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<p>The upcoming WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup will be the first in its history to be played under the new two-stage format where the Group Stage and Finals will be held in consecutive years. </p>
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<p>Prince Albert, Canada, will host one of the groups from 10 to 14 July, while the Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma City, USA will receive a second group, from 17 to 21 September. The host of the third group will be announced at a later stage. The World Championship Finals will take place in Prince Albert, Canada from 8 to 13 July, 2025.</p>
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<p>A total of 10 National Teams have already qualified for the XVIII WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Group Stage:</p>
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<ul><li><strong>Africa (2)</strong></li><li><strong>Americas (5)</strong></li><li><strong>Asia (3)</strong> No. 3 Japan, No. 13 Singapore, No. 15 Philippines</li><li><strong>Europe (3)</strong> No. 6 Czechia, No. 11 Denmark, No. 16 Netherlands</li><li><strong>Oceania (2)</strong> No. 2 Australia, No. 7 New Zealand</li><li><strong>Hosts / Wild Cards (3) </strong>No. 3 Canada, No. 6 USA</li></ul>
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