Tshosane wary of Carthage Eagles

THATO KALA & FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Correspondent & Staff Writer | Thursday November 11, 2010 00:00

 

The Zebras will be hoping to pick up where they left in the first round of the qualifiers when they host the much-fancied Tunisians at the UB Stadium in Gaborone.

Although they managed a slender 1-0 win in the away fixture, Tshosane has warned his charges against underrating the visitors. He admits the second round of the qualifiers will not be easy after his side won three of their four matches in the first round.

Botswana is at the top of Group K with 10 points, three ahead of second-placed Tunisia.

'The first round was not easy and the second round is going to be more difficult,' Tshosane said during a press conference in Gaborone yesterday. The former BDF XI mentor is happy about the players' frame of mind ahead of the crucial tie.

'We had a meeting with the players and we discussed a couple of key issues ahead of the game. We made them aware of what is expected of them,' he said.

Tshosane will have to do without central defender, Ndiyapo Letsholathebe, who has been ruled out of the tie because of an injury.

However, the coach will take solace in the return of Mogogi Gabonamong, who arrives in the country on Saturday. The defensive midfielder has repeatedly snubbed national team call-ups because his welfare is not taken care of.The Santos skipper recently featured in the friendly international against 2012 AFCON co-hosts Equatorial Guinea. He capped his sensational return with a goal.

Gabonamong's Santos teammate, Boitumelo Mafoko arrives on Saturday while Diphetogo Selolwane of SuperSport United, Orlando Pirates' Phenyo Mongala, Vasco da Gama's Dirang Moloi and Bay United goalkeeper Modiri Marumo are all expected to be in camp by Sunday evening.

Vasco-bound striker Jerome Ramatlhakwana is expected to arrive tomorrow.

At yesterday's press conference, Tshosane defended his decision to use fringe players during the recent friendly match against Swaziland. 'I have always indicated that I want to build a second side for the national team so I used that game to gauge the players' readiness for senior team football.'

Despite disturbing media reports of instability in the camp in the past week, Tshosane said they are working very hard to prepare for the fixture and can only hope for a win against the visiting North Africans. A win will enhance the Zebras chances of qualifying for the continental showpiece for the first time in history.

Meanwhile, the Botswana Football Association chief executive officer, Judge Mookodi, said they will give Botswana Television (Btv) first preference for the broadcasting rights of the Tunisia tie.

Reports indicate that South Africa's SuperSport is keen to buy broadcasting rights.

'We are in advanced negotiations with Btv. BFA will avail the opportunity to Btv but I cannot comment about outside broadcasters,' he said.

He added that BFA does not rule out prospects of selling rights to foreign broadcasters as the association is looking for opportunities to generate revenue.

The Zebras will play a friendly against a Jwaneng select side coached by Oris Radipotsane on Sunday as part of preparations for the Wednesday tie.

Tickets for the Tunisia game will be sold at all Orange outlets around the country. The grandstand will cost P70 while those sitting in the other stands will pay P50.

Zebras' squad

Goalkeepers-Modiri Marumo, Noah Maposa, Basimanebotlhe Moilwa

Defenders: Mompati Thuma, Mosimanegape Ramohibidu, Tshepo Motlhabankwe, Mmusa Ohilwe, Gobonyeone Selefa.

Midfielders-Mokgathi Mokgathi, Patrick Motsepe, Pontsho Moloi, Othusitse Pilane, Maano Ditshupo, Ofentse Nato, Joel Mogorosi, Diphetogo Selolwane, Boitumelo Mafoko,  Mogogi Gabonamong, Dirang Moloi, Phenyo Mongala

Strikers-Patrick Lenyeletse, Bonolo Fraizer, Onalethata Tshekiso, Jeremo Ramatlhakwana