Gabon-Bound Ostriches Implement Tight Training Regulations
Chakalisa Dube | Monday September 6, 2021 16:00
The Ostriches will be away to As Mangasport of Gabon in preliminary round of the competition. The Orapa based outfit has failed to go past the preliminary round of the competition on three occasions.
Head coach. Teenage Mpote said the team has been training under a bio-bubble arrangement in a bid to prevent the chances of any of their member contracting COVID-19. “Since Thursday we have been training in Gaborone. Players, the technical team, and all support staff members stay in one place (guest house). We go to training using the same transport. There is very limited movement within the camp. We want to reduce the chances of any of our members contracting COVID-19 and ultimately being prevented from traveling with the team to Gabon,” Mpote said.
He further stated that preparations for the weekend clash are going very well. “We last played a friendly game against Jwaneng Galaxy two weeks ago. We then decided not to organise more friendlies against Galaxy in a bid to reduce the chances of our players or staff contracting COVID-19.” He added, “We however intensified training after our last friendly match.
The players have been responding well and they are in a relatively good shape. They will compete over the weekend in Gabon. Apart from not playing friendlies the preparations have gone very well. I cannot complain that much.” Mpote said . `he also said even the club’s new players have adjusted very well. The Ostriches depart for Gabon tomorrow and Mpote said that owing to lack of flights they will be back in the country on the 14th of September.
Meanwhile, Galaxy who will be home to DFC Beme Arrondissement of Central African Republic (CAR) in the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League played a friendly match against last season ‘s Champions League finalists, Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa. Galaxy travelled to SA in a bid to enhance their preparations for the match because football is currently banned in the country. Only national teams or clubs preparing for international competitions are allowed to train as well as play friendlies. Last month both Orapa and Galaxy bemoaned lack of football activity in the country will affect their chances of progressing to the next stage of the competition. This the second time that the two teams have been forced to take part in CAF competition without any league activity in the country as result of COVID-19 restrictions.