Battle-ready Under-23 side jets out
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Thursday May 7, 2015 18:00
The game will be played at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya on Saturday. Kick off is at 4pm.
Both coach, Keitumetse ‘Pio’ Paul and captain, Mosha Gaolaolwe are confident that they would fend-off any threat by Kenya and effortlessly move to the next round of the qualifiers.
The Young Zebras won 3-0 in the first leg played at the New Lobatse Stadium two weeks ago.
“We are ready for this game. The only player missing for this game is midfielder, Tapiwa Gadibolae who is still nursing an injury.
“But, we have since replaced him with Kagiso Dithebe (Police XI),” Paul said yesterday.
He said he expected Kenya to try and bring the game to them, but expressed confidence that they would be able to deal with that.
“We will try and avoid conceding a goal in the first 20 minutes and if we get a goal, that will be fine,” he said.
He said Kenya have the ability to control possession and therefore will try not to allow them to penetrate. “The good thing about us is that we have players who can cause trouble for Kenya at the back.
“The likes of Seakanyeng (Kabelo), Omaatla Kebatho and Makgantai (Onkabetse) can help us penetrate and get a goal,” he added.
The Young Zebras will be pinning their hopes on their defence and midfield in order to avoid conceding and allowing them to come from behind.
They will be ably led by captain, Gaolaolwe as well as Thato Kebue, Wangore Kaekwe and Kaone van der Westhuizen at the back.
The midfield boasts some of the good players including Seakanyeng, Lebogang Ditsele, Emmanuel Machinya as well as Gaborone United (GU) duo, Obonwe Maome and Karabo Phiri.
“We will bring the results. We have no complaints whatsoever and our job is just to go there and bring results,” captain, Mosha Gaolaolwe said. He said they expected Kenya to change the style of play since they will be playing at home, but added they will be ready for anything. Paul has called up 18 players for this trip.
The full squad:
Goalkeepers: Goitseone Phoko (GU), Bophelo Kealeboga
Defenders: Gaolaolwe (BDF XI), van der Westhuizen (Letlapeng), Kaekwe (Township Rollers), Kebue (Motlakase), Dithebe (Police XI)
Midfielders: Seakanyeng (BDF XI), Machinya (Extension Gunners), Phiri (GU), Maome (GU), Ditsele (Letlapeng), Gape Mohutsiwa (Motlakase), Letlhogonolo Senwelo (Police XI),
Strikers: Kebatho (Sankoyo), Thatayaone Ramatlapeng (SK Senec), Makgantai (Nico United), Mpho Kgaswane (GU)