Zebras look for a lift against Burkina Faso
Mqondisi Dube | Friday October 12, 2018 12:46
The national side play the Stallions in a make or break Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the August 4 Stadium, in an 8pm kick-off.
The Zebras’ dramatic week began with news that Jwaneng Galaxy midfielder, Lebogang Ditsele had been axed from the squad, after sneaking alcohol and women into the camp.
As coach David Bright prepared the side for the first training session on Monday, the players refused to train over unpaid allowances.
The matter was resolved on Monday night, and the players were back on the pitch on Tuesday morning. However, that was not the end of an eventful week, as, just hours before boarding a chartered plane to Burkina Faso, key striker, Onkabetse Makgantai accidentally spilt water on his passport. As a result he was left behind, and will only join up with the team in Francistown for the return leg next week Tuesday. Highlands Park midfield, Lesenya Ramoraka withdrew with a groin injury, robbing Bright of two of his foreign-based players. Now, Bright has a mammoth task to rally the boys ahead of what should be an engaging physical encounter against the strong Stallions, who were runners up in 2013, after losing 1-0 to Nigeria in the final. Bright has targeted Burkina Faso to kick the Zebras’ campaign into life, although pound-for-pound, the West Africans carry the heavier artillery.
“We should get four points from Burkina Faso, so it is possible to qualify for the finals,” he said recently.
But the home side, expected to be backed by a bouncing 35,000 crowd, has enough firepower to worry Bright and his charges.
In particular, the Traore brothers, Bertrand and Alain, pose the biggest threat, while there is still the wily old fox, Jonathan Pitriopa, who however, has his best days behind him.
Alain has been in top form for Moroccan side RSB Berkane, while Bertrand has scored four goals in seven French League 1 games for Lyon.
The Zebras will look for much needed inspiration from inactive Mogakolodi ‘Tsotso’ Ngele, to win their first points. Without Makgantai and the league’s leading goal scorer, Joel Mogorosi, left behind, the burden of delivering goals will fall on Tumisang Orebonye.
BDF XI midfielder, Keeagile Kobe is expected to tuck in behind Orebonye, while Mpho Kgaswane and Kabelo Seakenyeng may be asked to man the wings, as the winless Zebras look for a lift. The Zebras are bottom of the group without a point, and a goal, while Burkina Faso have three points and sit second, after being stunned by surprise leaders, Mauritania 2-0 last month. Mauritania has six points and play Angola, who are third on three points, in back-to-back clashes.
Zebras squad
Goalkeepers: Kabelo Dambe (Celtic, South Africa), Mwampule Masule (Township Rollers)
Defenders: Onkabetse Seforo (BDF XI), Simisane Mathumo (Township Rollers), Thato Kebue (Jwaneng Galaxy), Tshepo Maikano (Gaborone United), Mosha Gaolaolwe (Township Rollers), Thero Setsile (Jwaneng Galaxy), Lesego Keredilwe (Orapa United)
Midfielders: Kobamelo Kebaikanye (Orapa United), Kabelo Seakanyeng (Chippa United, South Africa) Keeagile Kobe (BDF XI), Mogakolodi Ngele (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Segolame Boy (Township Rollers), Mpho Kgaswane (Baroka FC, South Africa), Kutlwelo Mpolokang (Jwaneng Galaxy), Tebogo Sosome (Jwaneng Galaxy), Alphonse Modisaotsile (Gaborone United)
Strikers: Tumisang Orebonye (Township Rollers)
Burkina Faso squad
Goalkeepers: Herv Koffi (Lille/France), Aboubacar Sawadogo (Al-Nojoom/Saudi Arabia), Germain Sanou (Beauvais/France)
Defenders: Bakary Kon (Ankaragucu/Turkey), Steeve Yago (Toulouse/France), Issouf Dayo (RSB Berkane/Morocco), Yacouba Coulibaly (Le Havre/France), Jean Noel Lingani (Horoya/Guinea), Tapsoba Edmond (Guimaraes/Portugal), Patrick Malo (Asec Mimosas/Ivory Coast)
Midfielders: Charles Kabor (Krasnodar/Russia), Razack Traor (Konyaspor/Turkey), Alain Traor (RSB Berkane/Morocco), Blati Tour (Cordoba/Spain), Bryan Dabo (Fiorentina/Italy), Cyrille Bayala (Lens/France), Zaki Sanogo (Hartberg/Austriae), Abou Ouattara (Mechelen/Belgium)
Forwards: Bertrand Traor (Lyon/France), Jonathan Pitroipa (Paris FC/France), Banou Diawara (Tubize/Belgium), Compaore Bassirou (Club Africain/Tunisia), Amed Tour (Asec Mimosas/Ivory Coast), Cheik Djibril Ouattara (ASFB).