Matlhaku says Young Zebras will overturn deficit

Thato Kala | Friday August 1, 2014 13:22

Kick off time is 1800 hours.

The Zambians won the first leg a fortnight ago but Matlhaku said most of the hosts’ players were overage. However, he has reiterated that his charges are ready to turn the tide at home.

“The boys are all ok. I am happy they are all focused. I felt we did well in the first leg, the players fought as if their lives depended on that game and made sure we did not concede many goals,” he told Mmegi Sport.

The team got some match practice last weekend when they played Mogoditshane Fighters and Babatona.

 They lost 2-1 to Fighters and drew with Babatona. Matlhaku said his focus has been working on the team’s attack as they look to edge the visitors. “We can get goals against them here at home. We have been working on our attack. We did defensive work before going to Zambia and this time we are doing attacking play.”

But Matlhaku will have to be wary as his opposite number, Chris Kaunda expects Botswana to open up and they take advantage.

“I am sure they will push up as we want to score. They will attack, they will open up and we will score,” he said.

Zambia arrived in the country earlier this week with relatively the same team that Matlhaku feels has over-age players.

According to reports from Zambia, Kaunda said four key players have been ruled out of the crucial return leg.

Zambia captain Patson Daka is among those ruled out of the return leg, together with Enock Mwepu, Musonda Siame and Wayne Museba.