Zebras regroup for Zim, Algeria
Mqondisi Dube | Friday March 5, 2021 12:40
Despite a difficult period, where local players have not kicked the ball in a competitive match since last year March, coach Adel Amrouche remains optimistic.
The players have to defy odds amid reports of upheaval in the national team set up.
The team was rocked by allegations of racism against the coach, which were swiftly dismissed by the Botswana Football Association (BFA).
However, there are other storms, which the team has to weather if they are to make their second appearance at the biennial tournament. Reports are some BFA employees are out to “get the coach fired and have made his work extremely difficult”.
Sources point to a chaotic situation where Amrouche is having sleepless nights trying to deal with certain elements within the association. “It is clear some do not want the coach. There is a lot of interference. The situation within the association pertaining to the national team is not healthy. The internal politics have become so toxic, there is no peace at all,” the source said.
In a recent interview, Amrouche said he was focussed on getting the team on the plane to Cameroon for the finals.
The Zebras have to beat Zimbabwe on March 22, and hope results go their way in the match between African champions Algeria and Zambia.
Algeria is already through to the finals, but the other spot is still up for grabs with the three neighbours in contention.
Zimbabwe’s Warriors is second with five points, a point ahead of the Zebras while Zambia’s Copper Bullets anchor the table with three points.
It sets the stage for an intriguing two rounds of fixtures with the COSAFA compatriots in a fierce battle to qualify for CAF’s flagship competition.
Amrouche this week called a strong squad, with local players going into camp on Sunday while the foreign-based contingent will join during the FIFA break.
The Belgian will be satisfied with the form of Supersport United defender, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe who is grabbing the headlines for the right reasons in South Africa’s DSTV Premiership.
There is good news as well for the country after Mogakolodi ‘Tsotso’ Ngele returned to action for his South African side, Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, while the Morocco-based trio of Tumisang Orebonye, Kabelo Seakanyeng and Simisani Mathumo has been included. Mothusi Cooper, who plays for Lusaka Dynamos in Zambia is also part of the group based abroad that will join the camp at a later stage.
Despite COVID-19 disruptions, Ditlhokwe, in a recent interview, praised Amrouche for assembling a good team.
“He is a good coach honestly speaking. He trains us with the European style of football. You can see that there is a huge difference in the way we play. We can go pound for pound with the big guns,” he said.
However, the progress of the team would be tested when they play against Zimbabwe and Algeria. The Zebras were due to play Rwanda in a friendly match, but COVID-19 disrupted plans and the team is likely to do with only training camps.