Injuries hamper Sevens� coach plans

| Friday July 24, 2015 13:04

They will be minus three players who were dropped from the squad due to injuries.

Sevens coach, Seabe Gabatladiwe told Mmegi Sport that the injuries are a blow to his plans ahead of the tournament. The injured players are Tshoganetso Katse, Damelin Motlogelwa and Herbert Nkonjera.  The coach believes the players that have been brought into the squad are good and would perform to expectations.

Gabatladiwe complained that the team had two weeks training, which was not enough. He said the players have been engaged in Botswana Rugby Union (BRU) 15’s tournament that ended recently which meant he had to wait before assembling the national squad. 

“It seems like we are not taking rugby serious when compared to other countries. Our opponents have had ample time to prepare for the qualifier,” he said. Other countries that will be participating are Mauritius, Rwanda (host), Burundi, Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo.  Botswana goes into the tournament as the top ranked team. Botswana is in Pool A alongside Burundi and Zambia.

The team comprises Ketshedile Matenanga, Kagiso Molefhi, Debula Omphile, Bafana Lekgobo. Edward Ooisthuizen, Emmanuel Ntshiwa, Tafadzwa Ncube, Alphious Mokotedi. Lesedi Cherry, Jeremy Dobrowsky, Tefo Ramoraka and Koorapetse Lesotlho.

The technical team: Sean Irish assists Gabatladiwe and Frederick Kebadiretse is the team manager. The team is expected back on Sunday July 26.