Bright bemoans fitness level ahead of Mauritania clash
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday November 16, 2018 12:45
The team is out of contention as they are currently languishing at the bottom of Group I with just a point with two games to play. However, ahead of their away straw game, the team’s coach David Bright stated the importance of getting a positive result from the clash. Speaking to journalists on Wednesday ahead of the team’s trip to Mauritania, Bright said despite failure to reach next year’s continental spectacular they will have to capitalise on their opponents’ desperation for a win on the day.
“Looking at them (Mauritania) I would say yes they would be under pressure to play for three points, so we need to be careful when we play them. We are not going to take Mauritania lightly or take it for granted. We have to go there and look for three points. We would have to go there and compete; football is not about playing and honouring games. We will have to go there and compete,” he said.
Bright, however, bemoaned preparations ahead of the clash as he said the fitness level of the players is not the desired one.
“The league in this country is not competitive and the fitness level is not up to scratch. Because our league started in August, the fitness level is not the same as the other countries’ so when we played Angola the fitness was not good, but since the league started, it has improved. I would not say it is at the level we would want,” he said.
Bright added that due to financial constraints at the Botswana Football Association, he has not been able to have insights on his opponents. “We have not done proper scouting. That needs money; I would have had to buy a clip from SuperSport or whoever. But I know that Mauritania is very close to the equator, so it will be very hot, but that should not be much of a worry because the conditions are not much different from ours,” he said.
This will be the fourth meeting between the two sides. In the past three clashes, Mauritania beat the Zebras twice while Botswana managed just a 2-1 win in June 2016.
Mauritania currently leads Group I with nine points, two above their closest rivals Burkina Faso. The Al-Murabitun needs a win to cement a place at next year’s AFCON finals.
The travelling Squad:
Goalkeepers: Kabelo Dambe (Bloem Celtic, SA), Mwampule Masule (Rollers)
Defenders: Onkabetse Seforo (BDF XI), Simisane Mathumo, Mosha Gaolaolwe (both Rollers), Tshepo Maikano (GU), Lesego Kereediwe (Orapa United), Thero Setsile (Galaxy), Lesenya Ramoraka (Highlands Park, SA), Sylvester Leririma (Police XI)
Midfielders: Kutlwelo Mpolokang, Segolame Boy (both Galaxy), Kabelo Seakanyeng (Chippa United, SA), Keeagile Kobe (BDF XI), Segolame Boy (Rollers), Alphonse Modisaotsile (GU), Mpho Kgaswane (Baroka FC, SA)
Attackers: Tumisang Orebonye (Rollers), Onkabetse Makgantai (Baroka FC, SA), Mogakolodi Ngele (Mamelodi Sundowns, SA)