Highlanders take second round preparations to SA
Koketso Kgoboge | Thursday January 19, 2017 15:33
Highlanders had a decent start and enjoyed a long spell at the summit only to relinquish the number one spot to resurgent TAFIC towards the festive season break. The Mahalapye side is second, tied on 26 points with leaders but two goals inferior.
Before leaving for Rustenburg, Highlanders are scheduled to play Mogoditshane Fighters and BDF X1 in Gaborone on Saturday and Sunday morning respectively.
In the small northwest province town, Stimela will play friendly games against ABSA Premiership outfit Platinum Stars, Orbit College FC and FC Palmeros.
Highlanders coach, Boyo Radipotsane envisages tough games in the second round and said they are working around the clock to ensure the squad is well oiled ahead of the battle.
He said they would have wished to play against competitive local sides but failed to secure enough friendlies because of the team’s engagements, hence they had to look outside the country.
“Our league is very competitive and we don’t want to slip because we failed to prepare ahead of time,” he said.
“We will be training in Rustenburg for a week where we will play three games. We are working hard to return to the Premiership and we want to ensure that we leave no stone unturned ahead of the second round.”
Radipotsane said their trip to Rustenburg would also see them sign two South African players from Orbit College FC, a striker and an attacking midfielder.
He said they would also beef up the team with a central defender and a defensive midfielder.
“I can’t disclose the names of the (South African) players now because we are still tying some loose ends of the deals but we are certain we will sign the duo. We have signed one striker already and we are in talks with the other and hopefully they will join us before we conclude our preparations,” he said.
Radipotsane also revealed that they have lost their number one goalkeeper Ookeditse Semelamela to Gaborone United and therefore, are in the lookout for a goalkeeper to replace the Young Zebras shot-stopper . Semelamela was part of Peter Butler’s team that played the AFCON qualifiers and COSAFA Castle Cup.