Will the dream live on?

TSHEPO MOLWANE
Staff Writer | Friday April 13, 2007 00:00

 

In the first leg in Potchefstroom a fortnight ago, Erwin Isaac and Lebohang Mokoena gave the South Africans a 2-0 victory. But the Amaglug-glug have been warned not to expect an easy game in the return leg. The winner will join Ghana, Tunisia, Gabon or Cameroon in Group A of the AAG.

The Dream Team's tactician David Bright told Mmegi Sport after their morning session yesterday that they will go for broke against the South Africans. 'To be honest with you, chances of coming back and winning are there. We'll attack our opponents throughout the game and since we'll be playing home, it will work to our advantage,' he said. Bright added that their job is even made easier by the fact that they have an idea of what to expect from Amaglug-glug. 'We've nothing to lose and we'll be under no pressure. We've already qualified for the most prestigious Olympic qualifiers and that is what matters most,' he said. The former army officer acknowledged that Batswana would be expecting a lot from his troops, especially because the game is against South Africa. However, he urged fans not to put the Young Zebras under pressure. 'All I can promise Batswana is that in this game, they will enjoy it more than the one against Tunisia,' he said.

Though there is a lot of confidence in the Young Zebras' camp, the team has been hit by injuries to some key players. BMC duo of Thebe Maiketso and Tumisang Sekanonyana are out with knee injuries. Uncompromising defender Moreetsi Mosimanyana has not recovered from an elbow injury he sustained a fortnight ago. The good news is that goalkeeper Noah Maposa resumed training on Wednesday and but chances of him  getting a nod ahead of Itumeleng Selapa are slim. Maposa who has been a revelation for the Under-23s was injured in the shoulder against Tunisia on March 22. He missed the 2-0 defeat in South Africa though he travelled with the team. 'We'll have a look at him and will make a decision on Saturday whether he can play,' Bright told Mmegi Sport. 

Upfront it is expected that Bright might start with the partnership of Township Rollers' striker Kaone Molefe with Moemedi 'Jomo' Moalthaping. Pretoria University winger Phenyo Mongala will add some spark to the Young Zebras' play after missing the first leg. Mongala arrived early this week and is expected to be the man to unlock the South African rearguard.

Amaglug-glug arrive in the country today with a strong squad though they are without seven of the players who participated in the first leg. Ajax Cape Town's Clifford Ngobeni, Nazeer Allie, Bryce Moon and Mkhanyiseli Siwahla have been left behind since their side takes on Bloemfontein Celtic in the Absa Cup on Sunday. But the Amaglug-glug will be boosted by the presence of Gerald Modubi and Jeffrey Ntuka who play for Westerlo in Belgium. Orlando Pirates' Mokoena, Bernard Parker (Benoni Premier United) and Sibusiso Hadebe (Jomo Cosmos) remain the South Africans' dangermen. Entrance fee for the match will be P50 for the grand stands, P30 for Pandamatenga and P20 for the rest of the stands. Kick off is at 3.30pm.