Tshepo Molwane
3 October 2008
Zebras' coach Stanley Tshosane says it is important for his side to end the 2010 World Cup-African Nations Cup qualifiers on a high note.
Zebras welcome Mozambique's Mambas at the National Stadium in Gaborone next Saturday in a game of academic significance.
Zebras bombed out of the qualifiers last month when they were beaten 1-0 by Madagascar in Antananarivo. Botswana are lying bottom of Group Seven with five points from five games and a win can only see them finish second - not enough to qualify for the next stage. The loss in Madagascar meant that Botswana miss another chance to reach the finals of the African Cup of Nations.
After the awful display in Madagascar, criticism came from all corners with talk that something needs to be done with the team. Tshosane came out strongly to tell the nation about the problems that have stalled the Zebras' progress over the years. For the game against the Mambas, Tshosane believes that with the current mood in the camp, he will get a win. "Like I said after coming back from Madagascar, I made it clear that anyone who does not want to play for the Zebras, must not report for camp. By the look of things, everything is fine now and the players seem focused," he told Mmegi Sport yesterday.
Tshosane said that they let the nation down by losing to Madagascar, though the islanders cannot be underrated. "I have never felt this bad. I have talked to the players and all that is left is to beat Mozambique and salvage some pride. We have to finish on a high and give Batswana an early Christmas present," he said. Tshosane is aware that the Mambas will not be easy opponents as they want to revenge the 2-1 loss they suffered at the Machava Stadium on June 7.
Zebras are expecting Cape Town Santos' duo of Mogogi Gabonamong and Jerome Ramatlhakwana and Dipsy Selolwane from Ajax Cape Town and Egyptian-based custodian Modiri Marumo to arrive anytime from Sunday. Towering defender, Ndiyapo Letsholathebe who is based in the United States is expected to rejoin the team after missing the trip to Madagascar.
In a bid to build a new team, Tshosane has brought in Musa Ohilwe (BMC), Jackie Mothatego (Notwane) and Obuile Ncenga (Township Rollers). "I think it was important to invite Ohilwe and Ncenga for camp to give us some depth in defence. If you look at them, they are both young and they can be important to the team's future. As for Jackie, he is such a talented youngster who can provide us with creativity," said the tactician. Tshosane is happy that ECCO City Greens' striker Malepa 'Chippa' Bolelang has fully recovered from the injury which ruled him out of the trip to the island.
Mochudi Centre Chiefs' duo of Mpho 'Jomo' Mabogo and Michael Mogaladi have been dropped from the squad. Already, there are reports that this is Tshosane's way of dealing with indiscipline in the team. "It is not true that they have been dropped because of indiscipline. This is the normal process of bringing in new players and the same thing was said in the past when I replaced some players who have been in the team for long," Tshosane said.
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