Ostriches focused despite spate of injuries
Koketso Kgoboge | Thursday December 8, 2016 16:01
The Ostriches also remain optimistic in their maiden appearance in the CAF Confederations Cup early next year despite being hit by a spate of injuries to key players recently.
In the past two months, Orapa have suffered continuing injury concerns with their key players missing a number of matches. Against Nico United, Omaatla Kebatho became a fresh casualty picking up a knee injury that ruled him out of yesterday’s encounter against Sankoyo while the extent of the injury is still being assessed. Over the weekend, the on-form speedy winger Lemogang Maswena (muscle) was an absentee against Nico joining their number one goalkeeper Mosimanegape Robert (ankle), Kabo Mungabe (rib) and Bonolo Fraiser (muscle) who are still recovering from injuries.
Team captain, Thabang Mosige came back for his first game after being sidelined for three weeks joining his defensive partner Olekantse Mambo who has also recently recovered from injury.
However assistant coach, Zacharia Mudzazi said they are focused on their league campaign and are counting on the two-week festive break to give the players time to fully recover ahead of resuming preparations for CAF early next year.“We have been badly hit (by injuries) in the past two months. We hardly go into a game with our best squad, but we have remained focused and credit must go to the rest of our squad. They really came to the party and we remain focused on holding onto the top position in the log,” Mudzazi said.
He said they suffered a lot of ankle knocks but is hopeful they will fully recover in the festive break and in time for next year’s tough schedule, which include defending the Mascom Top 8.
When quizzed if they would need to bolster their arsenal in the January transfer window, Mudzazi said they are content with their squad but did not dismiss beefing it up. He said their players are good enough and all they need is the exposure so they get the experience. “Besides this is the fruits of their hard work and it is their chance to go out in Africa and shine.
Of course we might need more experienced players but they will need the time that we do not have to adapt to our style of play,” he said. He said they want to live a mark in Africa.