Mogorosi, Msomi return for CAF tie
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Friday February 9, 2018 15:00
The two players are serving suspension from all Botswana Football Association (BFA) activities for their role in the match against TAFIC, which saw three players and an official given red cards.
While many had doubted whether Rollers could do without the experience of the duo in the CAF competition, the club has confirmed that both players would be available for selection tomorrow.
Club spokesperson, Bafana Pheto said although the two players are still suspended from BFA activities, it does not have anything to do with CAF competitions.
“Yes, BFA is affiliated to CAF but CAF in this instance runs its own competition so the suspension does not have anything to do with this game,” he said. Pheto also said at the club, only the duo’s salaries have been suspended for a month and not the players.
“They have not been suspended by the club and only their salaries (forfeited) for a month,” he said. Pheto said preparations are on course although Segolame Boy is still doubtful with an injury after missing last weekend’s Mascom Top 8 clash against Jwaneng Galaxy.
The return of both Mogorosi and Msomi is expected to boost Rollers attack with Boy sweating over fitness. Although he trained with the team this week, Boy still has to pass late fitness test. With such games usually decided on away goal rule, Rollers will be hoping that they do not concede at home.
However, their recent defensive record has been worrying in local competitions. In the past four matches, Rollers have conceded five times. The experience of Ofentse Nato in front of the defence could prove vital in their quest to close out Al Merreikh. Nato has quickly settled in as evidenced by his man-of-the-match performance last weekend.
Rollers have been knocked out in the preliminary stages in the last two seasons. They went down 2-1 on aggregate to South African giants, Kaizer Chiefs fist before they lost on away goals rule against Madagascar’s CNaPs last season. Rollers president, Jagdish Shah recently told journalists that although it would have been a great achievement to do better than the last two appearances, the strength of the current opponents should be considered.
He said even though they may set targets for themselves in the beginning, the targets might later change depending on the draw. Interestingly, both sides are great achievers in their own countries with Rollers having won the league 14 times while Al Merreikh won their league title 16 times.
In Africa, Rollers’ opponents were knocked out in the second round two years ago. The previous year they had gone all the way to the semi-finals proving their mettle as one of the ‘usual suspects’ in continental club competitions.