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Botswana: Stars Come for Zebras-Warriors Duel
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Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)
26 March 2008
Posted to the web 27 March 2008
Tshepo Molwane
Gaborone
Thousands of supporters are expected to throng the National Stadium in Gaborone tonight when the Zebras take on visiting 'Warriors' from Zimbabwe in an international friendly scheduled to kick-off at 7pm.
Fortunately, the Zebras have managed to get four foreign-based players for the clash.
First-choice goalkeeper, Modiri Marumo who plies his trade in Egypt arrived in the country on Saturday and has been hard at training. He is expected to start the match after missing a tournament in Lesotho last month.
South African-based stars, Diphetogo 'Dipsy' Selolwane (Ajax Cape Town), Mogogi Gabonamong (Cape Town Santos) and Michael Mogaladi (Maritzburg United) are training with the team and are expected to make the starting line-up.
This would be good news for supporters as the Zimbabweans have named a strong team, which will definitely give the Zebras a tough time. Gabonamong returns to the Zebras' set-up after missing the 2-1 defeat to South Africa in an international friendly on January 16 in Durban.
Coach Colwyn Rowe must be a happy man to have all his players for the Zimbabwean tie. The game gives him an opportunity to determine the areas that need to be strengthened ahead of the 2010 World Cup/AFCON qualifiers, which start at the end of May.
Against Bafana Bafana in January, Zebras showed some signs of improvement. Rowe can only hope that the team can keep up the improvement. On paper, Zimbabwe are clear favourites to hurt thousands of Botswana supporters but Zebras are capable of springing a surprise.
In the FIFA rankings, Zimbabwe are ranked 23rd in Africa while Botswana is 27th.
With Mochudi Centre Chiefs' marksman Jerome 'JJ' Ramatlhakwana in top form, thousands of Batswana are keeping their fingers crossed that he transfers his club performance to the Zebras.
The striker has scored 14 goals for Chiefs so far this season and if his performance at club level is anything to go by, then the Zimbabwean rearguard will have its hands full. Ramatlhakwana is likely to start alongside Selolwane in attack. Another player who can win the game for the Zebras is talented Notwane midfielder, Dirang Moloi. Against South Africa in Durban, Moloi and Joel Mogorosi of Township Rollers put up brilliant performances for the Zebras.
Rowe knows that a defeat will affect the morale of the supporters ahead of another friendly next Tuesday against a select side from Brazil.
It is a known fact that the Zebras have never had it easy against the Warriors. In the four meetings between the two sides since 2005, Zimbabwe have recorded three wins while the Zebras snatched a 1-1 draw at the Rufaro Stadium in Harare.
Zimbabwean coach, Valinhos has named a strong 22-man squad but he must be disappointed at the withdrawal of Kaizer Chiefs' duo of Tinashe Nengomasha and Onismor Bhasera who are said to be carrying injuries.
But the good news is that of the availability of Manchester City striker Benjamin Mwaruwari and Gilbert Mushangazhike from Orlando Pirates.
Their partnership might cause headaches for the Zebras' defence led by Mompati Thuma and Ernest Amos. Mamelodi Sundowns' hard-man Esrom Nyandoro is also in the team which arrived in Gaborone yesterday afternoon.
Botswana Football Association (BFA) chief executive officer, Tosh Kgotlele confirmed that all is set for the big game tonight. He said that they have decided to make admission fees reasonable in order to allow supporters to come in large numbers.
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Grand Stands are charged P30, with the Panda Stand going at P20. The rest of the stands go for P10.
"We want Batswana to come in numbers to cheer the team.
We reduced the charges after taking into consideration that people are coming from the holidays and the important thing is, we do not want to make money," he said. Kgotlele told Mmegi Sport that with another game coming on Tuesday night, it is important to be reasonable with the admission charges.
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