Ostriches target Coton scalp
Chakalisa Dube | Saturday October 23, 2021 06:00
The Ostriches face Coton Sport, in the return leg of the second round tie, with the overall winner moving to within 180minutes of the group stages. The match will be played in Gauroa, Cameroon tomorrow. The Ostriches carry a 2-1 first-leg lead and a draw will be enough to send Mogomotsi 'Teenage' Mpote's boys to the next round. The Ostriches will fancy their chances as Coton are an average side. The hosts have been in CAF competitions for years but on most occasions, they have hardly made an impact. The Ostriches looked sharp and solid at the back in the first round, although they conceded what could prove to be a decisive goal.
But jet lag could be a worry after the team endured long hours travelling to Cameroon. The long travelling hours might lead to fatigue among players. The other challenge for Orapa is that talisman Omaatla 'Dunga' Kebatho and key defender Thabang Mosige are out of the match due to suspension having accumulated two yellow cards. Coton will feel buoyed by the away goal, and a 1-0 will be enough to see them through to the group stages.
They produced some glimpses of greatness in the first leg, something that suggests that they can overturn the results at home. “We will fight with all we have here. We have just arrived from Douala to Gauroa where the game will be played. So far so good. We started training on Monday in Douala. It was a regeneration exercise then yesterday we worked on adaptation,” Mpote told Mmegi Sport. “The players are mentally prepared for the match. They know what is at stake,” Mpote added. Coton coach Soulemanou Abobakar warned that the second-round clash will be different. He said that his team played badly and will be more aggressive and ruthless at home.
Meanwhile, Jwaneng Galaxy are staring at elimination from the CAF Champions league. They will have to stage the greatest comeback to overturn the 2-0 scoreline they suffered in the first leg of the second-round match against Tanzania's Simba SC in Gaborone.
The match will be played in Dar-es-Salaam. Simba has one of the greatest home records in Champions League history. They have won 85% of their home matches. They are known for their relentless attack at home. To make things worse, the match will be backed by 15,000 vociferous home fans. Simba have been given the go-ahead to accommodate 15,000 in their 60000-seater stadium.