SA Under-17 players denied entry
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday December 1, 2017 14:26
Basetsana might miss six players as they were denied entry into the country as they were without the necessary travelling documents.
Mmegi Sport is informed that Basetsana assembled for camp this week as the majority of their players were engaged in school commitments. The team was scheduled to arrive in the country late Wednesday afternoon, but they arrived in the wee hours of yesterday morning.
However the local girls coach, Odirile China Matlhaku remained focussed on the game as he said the off field issues that have affected his opponents do not give his side an upper hand before the game. “We do not have to bear in mind what is happening to them with the travelling issues they would not have an impact.”
“We do not know our opponents, but we have an idea of how they approach their games. We are aware that South African players are technically good due to their advantage of training in better facilities than we do. Our plan is to use their strength to our advantage.
How we are going to do it for now it’s a closed book,” Matlhaku told a press briefing yesterday. He further said that his team assembled for camp on November 17, but could not manage to secure an international friendly match as they resorted to playing junior boys teams.
“Our preparations have been going well except that we could not get any international friendly game due to the unavailability of teams in the region.
We managed to play with a number of Under-15 boys teams. In the last game we won 8-0 over a team from Lobatse, which was unfortunate, as it did not give us the challenge we wanted.
We had wished for stronger opponents. All our players are physically and mentally ready for the game,” he said. The team’s captain, Gloria Pilane said her side is ready to battle their nemesis on the day, as they would be going for an attack-orientated play. “The coach did his work. He said we should press the opponents. South Africa are just a team like any other and when we pressure them they might make mistakes at the back,” she said.
The local side reached the first round of the qualifiers for the first time in history after beating Zambia 6-4 in two-legged preliminary round matches while South Africa were one of the seeded sides and are yet to kick ball in the competition. Kick off is at 4pm.
The Zebras team:
Goalkeepers: Sharon Sedimonyane (King Rogers), Doris Motshegwe (Wonder Girls)
Defenders: Gloria Pilane (Mochudi Brigade), Basego Sembuwa (Materspei College), Gloria Gabolathiwe, Annah Sechane (Meat Girls)
Midfielders: Bakang Ntsinyane, Kaone Kgokong (both Radisele JSS), Keitumetse Dithebe (Mexican Girls), Obonetse Rathari (Shooting Stars), Tlotlo Charles (Big Sisters), Theo George (Seepapitso SS), Leungo Senwelo (FC Ambassadors), Masego Glaekhutle (Mexican Girls), Nomsa Mosotho (Double Action)
Strikers: Michelle Abueng (Big Sisters), Maatla Tlhobogang (Double Action),
Letso Botlhale (Wonder Girls)