Bright's Advise To BFA

By Tshepo Molwane
Staff Writer | Monday April 16, 2007 00:00

 The coach was speaking after the Young Zebras crashed out of the last stage of the qualifiers for the All Africa Games (AAG) yesterday after losing 2-0 to South Africa in Gaborone. In the first leg, the Dream Team were beaten 2-0 by the Amaglug-glug and the Gaborone defeat completed a 4-0 aggregate win for the South Africans. After the AAG dreams went up in smoke, the Young Zebras must now concentrate on the qualifiers for the 2008 Olympic Games where they made history by sailing to the group stages.
Bright said his team needs a very good planning to prepare for the Olympic campaign. 'They (the Under-23 side players) have to play a number of friendly games against tougher opponents,' he said. Ahead of the qualifiers, the Under-23 tactician pointed out that the Young Zebras have to reinforce the goalkeeping and striking departments to avoid problems when some players are unavailable.

The team that lost to the Amaglug-lug was missing key players in goalkeeper Noah Maposa and striker Jerome Ramatlhakwana. Botswana will know which countries they will face in the Olympic qualifiers when the draw is done tomorrow in Zurich, Switzerland.
After yesterday's game, Bright said that they lost to a better team which had a number of professionals. 'We tried our best and created chances but luck was not on our side,' he said.

The Under-23 coach stated that their long stay in camp had an effect on players. He thanked the supporters for rallying behind the team and pleaded with them to remain patient.

South African coach Steve Komphela said the game was tight even after they scored. 'It was a good move for us to introduce a second striker. Our discipline also carried us through. I wish Botswana all the best during the Olympic Games qualifiers,' said Komphela.

As expected, South Africa started yesterday's game cautiously, playing with only Lebohang Mokoena upfront. The visitors' plan was to catch Botswana on the attack. This paid dividends in the 33rd minute when Mokoena ran to a through ball and easily beat the advancing Itumeleng Selapa in the Young Zebras' goal. The goal shuttered Young Zebras' dream of going to Algeria for the AAG and the disappointment around the stadium was palpable.

The Botswana players created chances but poor finishing let them down. The strike partnership of Stanley Tsolope and Moemedi 'Jomo' Moatlhaping failed to click and this was not helped by the fact that the wingers were not effective. Dazzling midfielder Phenyo Mongala who was expected to unlock the South African defence had a quiet afternoon and the less said of the other winger Kaone Molefe the better. South Africa wrapped up the game in the 78th minute when substitute Sibusiso Ntuli beat goalkeeper Selapa with a low shot. The goal forced some supporters to leave the stadium while others looked in disbelief.