Zebras miss four players for Lesotho friendly

THATO KALA
Correspondent | Tuesday June 22, 2010 00:00

 

The Zebras left early yesterday morning for Lesotho's capital, Maseru, without four key players due to injuries. The team returns on Thursday to prepare for Saturday's clash.

Township Rollers' marksman, Onalethata Tshekiso, Michael Mogaladi and his Mochudi Centre Chiefs' teammate Tshepo 'Talk Talk' Motlhabankwe will miss the tie. Former Bay United attacker Pontsho Moloi has been ruled out of the Tunisia clash after picking up an injury during training recently. 

Zebras' coach Stan Tshosane is hopeful that the two friendly matches will be good preparation for the clash against Tunisia's Carthage Eagles at the Stade 7 November Stadium in Tunis.

'I'm so grateful to the BFA for managing to get these two practice matches ahead of the qualifiers. I know we'll have to play them within a short space of time but I believe they will help us fine-tune our preparations,' he told Mmegi Sport.

While Lesotho is seemingly not tough opposition for his charges, Tshosane is excited about the prospect of facing the Zambians on Saturday.

Chipolopolo were outstanding during the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Angola at the beginning of the year and Tshosane believes they will help his charges gauge themselves ahead of the AFCON campaign.

'So far the preparations have gone well except for the injuries that a few players sustained during training. 'Talk Talk' and Pontsho are out for three weeks so they will both miss the Tunisia and Chad games. It is in the Zambia game that we will decide on the final team that will play against Tunisia,' he said.

He said Tshekiso and Mogaladi remain under observation and could still be thrown into the fray against Zambia, depending on the progress they make by end of the week.

Tshosane said that he was happy the players are working as a unit ahead of the AFCON qualifiers.

Straight after visiting Tunisia, the Zebras will start preparing to host little-known Chad on July 9 in another AFCON qualifier.

The Zebras had to hastily prepare for the two games 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).

 Zebras' squad for Lesotho: Modiri Marumo (BDF XI), Mompati Thuma (BDF XI), Mokgathi Mokgathi (BDF XI), Gaopatwe Seosenyeng (BDF XI), Basimanebotlhe Moilwa (BDF XI), Patrick Motsepe (BDF XI), Maano Ditshupo (Extension Gunners), Joel Mogorosi (Township Rollers), Edwin Moalosi (Township Rollers), Ndiyapo Letsholathebe (Police XI), Othusitse Pilane (Chiefs), Dirang Moloi (Chiefs), Sekhana Koko (Chiefs), Ofentse Nato (Gaborone United), Mosimanegape Ramohibidu (BMC), Musa Ohilwe (BMC), Patrick Lenyeletse (ECCO City Greens), Ontse Ntesa (ECCO), Mogakolodi Ngele (Uniao Flamengo Santos), Noah Maposa (Chiefs), Phenyo Mongala (Orlando Pirates), Jerome Ramatlhakwana (Cape Town Santos)