Will the Zebras gallop over the Eagles?

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Wednesday November 17, 2010 00:00

 

The Zebras start the match as slight favourites, considering the first leg result and home ground advantage. But the home side will be the first to admit that the Tunisians are no pushovers.

The Carthage Eagles have not lost on the road in this campaign while the Zebras have an excellent record at home.The Tunisian team that landed at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport on Monday night was minus some top names.

This should give the Zebras hope, and capitalise on the absence of some stars.

Zebras coach, Stanley Tshosane is spoilt for choice as his foreign-based contingent, including Mogogi Gabonamong, have all reported for national duty.

The only notable absentee is Ndiyapo Letsholathebe who is out injured and Gabonamong is likely to take his place.

In goal, the Zebras have Modiri Marumo's safe pair of hands. The ageing goalkeeper has proved to be the Zebras' saviour on countless occasions, notably in the game against Malawi.

He shut out the marauding Malawi forwards and proved why he has been the country's number one goalkeeper for years.It is in the right and left back positions that Tshosane will have a headache. Musa Ohilwe operates from the right but at times he is caught flat-footed while at the other end, Mosimanegape Ramohibidu often lacks pace.

In central defence the experience of both captain Mompati Thuma and Gabonamong should come in handy.

Gabonamong can play in the holding role with his Cape Town Santos teammate, Boitumelo Mafoko dropping to join Thuma.

Ofentse Nato, a shining beacon in the last encounter against Togo, is expected to retain his position in the middle of the alongside Mafoko or Gabonamong.

Veteran utility player, Diphetogo Selolwane is expected to operate in an attacking midfield position, supporting lone striker, Jerome Ramatlhakwana. Out on the wings, Orlando Pirates' speedy winger, Phenyo Mongala might be deployed on the left while Township Rollers' skipper Joel Mogorosi will be assigned on the right in a 4-5-1 formation.Vasco Da Gama's on-form midfielder, Dirang Moloi is expected to start on the bench. With a few games under his belt in the South African Premier League, Moloi seems to have gained in confidence.

He is one player Tshosane can rely on as a first change. Moloi can dazzle opponents with his silky skills but needs grafters around him to avoid creating gaps that the opposition can exploit.

In Gabonamong and Mafoko, Tshosane is aware that he has players who can do the mopping up operation with aplomb.In the qualifiers, Tshosane has not been sufficiently tested as most the games have hardly been referred to the bench. But this afternoon, the technical bench will be stretched by a Tunisian side that plays fast football.