Gabonamong snubs national duty?

THATO KALA
Correspondent | Tuesday June 15, 2010 00:00

There are reports that Gabonamong might have snubbed national duty amid allegations that the midfield workhorse is unhappy over undisclosed issues.

Zebras' coach, Stanley Tshosane had drafted both Gabonamong and Mafoko into the squad that will do duty against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia on 1 July and little known Chad on July 9.

However, Gabonamong is yet to report for camp while Santos requested to do a medical assessment on Mafoko, who spent the greater part of last season on the sidelines nursing an injury. 'I have almost all the players I had called into camp except for Mafoko and Mogogi. Mafoko had an injury and Santos are yet to clear him to start playing. Mogogi has not yet reported for camp. We were expecting him yesterday (Sunday) so we will have to go ahead without them,' Tshosane told Mmegi Sport.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that Gabonamong who has snubbed national duty in the past, might be aggrieved about the treatment of players in the Zebras' set-up. The player once went on a self-imposed exile from the Zebras because he felt the welfare of national team players is not taken care of properly. Recent reports indicated that Gabonamong attended trials in South Korea.

The player has been yearning for a move away from Santos. He is said to have made a good impression in Korea and a move to the Asian country could be on the cards, provided he has the blessings of the Cape team, with whom he has another year to go on his contract.

Tshosane clearly needed his services, but the versatile player is yet to give an explanation for his absence from the national team. The coach finds solace in the availability of newly-signed SuperSport forward Diphetogo Selolwane and Orlando Pirates' Phenyo Mongala. Meanwhile, the Zebras have intensified preparations after the announcement that the AFCON qualifiers will take place earlier than expected following the reinstatement of Togo by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The Zebras have been in camp for over a week and Tshosane is happy with the progress the team is making.'We did medical tests and all the players we have in camp are fine. We are pushing them very hard in terms of physical fitness. I have Professor Onyewadume, a physical trainer, and his contribution to the team has proven to be invaluable. The whole of last week, we were doing physical fitness and the boys are responding well. I'm happy with the way they have done so far,' he said. Tshosane hopes the team will get practice matches ahead of the AFCON fixtures.

The Botswana Football Association is working on securing a few friendly games for the Zebras. The Zebras are in the same group with Malawi, Tunisia, Chad and Togo.