Sithole confident of victory over Egyptian side

BOITUMELO KHUTSAFALO
Staff Writer | Thursday July 15, 2010 00:00

 

Sithole who returned to GU recently after a short stint with BMC said the players are eager to beat their Egyptian opponents judging by their commitment at training. He pointed out that he has been working on the tactical awareness of the team.

'The team has been following a fitness training programme which I found when I arrived and it was good. What I am doing now is to focus on the tactical aspect,' he explained. He said although El Hodoud is a closed book, he has tried to get some information on the team in order to have a proper game plan.

He stated that only two players, Tshepo 'Schoolboy' Molefe and Stephen Maposa are carrying knocks. Maposa was a consistent performer for GU last season.

One of his finest moments was when he headed in a last minute equaliser against South African giants, Orlando Pirates in the CAF Champions League in Port Elizabeth.

The goal saw Pirates crash out in the preliminaries while GU became the only Botswana side to reach the first round. Sithole said GU needs to attack in order to get victory at home.

GU will be without Tiroyamodimo Mohambi and Mpho Mabogo who were released by the club before Sithole's arrival.

Tickets, which started selling on Monday, cost P50 for the grand stand while the rest of the stands cost P30. El Hodoud, who were expected to arrive yesterday but encountered flight problems are now scheduled to touch down at the Sir Seretse Khama Airport today.

Zebras' number one goalkeeper, Modiri Marumo once played for the Alexandria-based club.

GU will travel to Egypt in a fortnight for the second leg. The Reds have a good home record in CAF competitions this year having won all their matches without conceding a goal.

The Gaborone side initially participated in the CAF Champions League after winning the be MOBILE Premier League title last season.

They beat Pirates in the preliminary round before accounting for Mauritian side, Curepipe Starlight in the first round.

They fell 4-2 in the second round to Zimbabwean side, Dynamos, which meant that they participate in the CAF Confederations Cup. 

If they beat El Hodoud over two legs, GU will qualify for the competition's mini-league phase.