It�s Zebras vs Stallions
Chakalisa Dube | Friday September 4, 2015 18:00
Peter Butler’s troops started the qualifiers on a bad note, losing 2-0 to Uganda (the Cranes).
A loss tomorrow will all but end their interest in the competition as only the group winners and three best place runners up make it to Gabon in 2017. Lightweights, the Comoros are the other team in the group.
Burkina Faso lead the group by three points followed by the Cranes who have also accumulated three points, but are behind by virtue of an inferior goal difference.
Highly rated attacking midfielder Mogakolodi Ngele and Galabgwe Moyana looked sharp in training this week and are in line for a starting berth. Though Butler did want to offer a clue on his line up, he is likely to go with seasoned campaigners Ngele, shot stopper Kabelo Dambe who will be playing in his home town and defensive midfielder Ofentse Nato. Boitumelo Mafoko is also expected to lead from the back. A full house is expected with tickets and replica jerseys selling fast. Local Organising Committee (LOC) member, Eatametse Olopeng said tickets were moving fast.
The Zebras will use an All Kasi kit for this game after the expiry of their Umbro deal. “We are ready and we are not fearful. The players have shown a very good attitude during training and I am confident the team will pick positive results on Saturday,” Butler said this week.
All the 23 players are fit. But the Zebras form might worry Butler as they have not won a match since a penalty shootout win over South Africa in the COSAFA Cup in May hosted in South Africa.
Against Burkina Faso, the Zebras face a strong side that boast well known stars such as 2013 AFCON player of the tournament, Jothan Pitroipa who now plies his trade at Al Nasir in Qatar and Chippa United’s Atristide Bance.
However, it is not only Bance and Pitroipa who may pose a threat to the Zebras. Chelsea’s attacking midfielder, Betrand Traore is one of the players to watch tomorrow. Hailed by Jose Mourinho as one of the best players of his generation, the 19-year-old was impressive in the past season while on loan to Netherlands elite league side, Vitesse.
He notched 14 goals in 33 starts last season. Chelsea has since recalled him after he impressed during pre-season. Betrand’s elder brother Alain is also among the players to watch.
Alain, who plays for Lorient in France, has been a key figure in the squad in recent years and contributed three goals when the Stallions reached the finals of the 2013 AFCON in South Africa. The French-based star is best remembered for scoring an injury time winner against Angola, which took Burkina Faso to the 2013 AFCON tournament.
The Stallions were expected to arrive in Francistown yesterday around lunchtime.