Sevens team leaves for CAR tournament

Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday November 27, 2014 12:32

 

The team’s assistant coach, Kabo Batsile told Mmegi Sport before departure at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport that the aim is to qualify for the All Africa Games next year and the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016. The Botswana side plays its first game in Harare against Madagascar on Saturday. Batsile said they are not going to take their opponents lightly because the tournament is a qualifier for the All Africa Games.

Botswana is in Pool A alongside South Africa, Madagascar, Tunisia, Senegal and Zambia. Pool B has the hosts, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Namibia and Ivory Coast. Baitsile said of the 12 teams in the tournament, eight will make it to All Africa Games next year. He singled out South Africa as a tough opponent but said they would not be intimidated.

“We have had enough time to prepare for the tournament unlike before. Preparations started in September with the team attending two South Africa northern region Sevens tournaments in Pretoria and Potchefstroom. We have selected players that we believe will do the job for us,” he said.

Batsile said they are grateful to the Botswana Rugby Union (BRU) for inviting a South African coach to drill the team during their training camp a fortnight ago. He said the coach assisted them in different aspects such as game plan and the new laws of the game. “You must be aware that during a Sevens game, there are fewer players on the field, making the game more faster compared to the usual 15s game. There are many mistakes that are bound to happen. Then there is need for laws to be reviewed all the time,” explained Batsile.

Meanwhile, BRU announced that Selebi-Phikwe based Re Ba Bona Ha team will leave today for the annual Lou Corbi schools tournament in Bulawayo. The team is made up of Under-7 and 13 boys from the Selebi-Phikwe. Eight players from Maun Puppies will join the team.

The tournament brings together the best primary schools in rugby in Zimbabwe. It is used to give the young boys international exposure. Botswana goes into the tournament as defending champions having won it last year.

 

Sevens squad to Harare: Tshoganetso Katse (captain), Ketshedile Matenanga, Debule Omphile, Biki Mawela, Kagiso Molefi, Bigboy Bushe, Bafana Lekgobo, Alphius Mokotedi, James Shankwaka, Tefo Ramoroka, Dent Patrick, Emmanuel Ntshiwa.

Seabe Gabatladiwe (coach), Kabo Batsile (assistant coach), Zilwele Khumalo (team manager).