Zebras play Swaziland in Gaborone

THATO KALA
Correspondent | Wednesday October 20, 2010 00:00

 

Besides the Swazis, the Botswana Football Association is trying to secure a friendly match for the Zebras on November 10. Although national team coach Stanley Tshosane would have wanted stronger opposition, he believes the game against Swaziland gives him the opportunity to assess fringe players. 'I know Swaziland are not a very strong team, but they have requested to play us and I do not see the reason why we should undermine them. We have guys who have not played regularly for the national team and this is a game where we can try them out because it is important to widen our player base,' Tshosane explained.

He said the team will assemble on Monday to prepare for the tie. Tshosane missed the team's 2-0 win against Equatorial Guinea last week in Malabo because he was in Cairo, Egypt attending a workshop. But he is full of praise for prodigal son, Mogogi Gabonamong who reportedly put up a five-star performance on his return to the Zebras' fold and scored one of the goals. 'Apart from the goal, I am told that Mogogi played very well throughout the game. It shows how important he is to the team.'

Tshosane has called on his charges to remain focused despite their nine-match winning streak.The Zebras are yet to lose a match since the beginning of the current AFCON campaign. They sit at the apex of Group K after amassing 10 points. Tshosane said that in Cairo, they sat down as coaches and discussed football matters in a relaxed atmosphere. 'They are amazed as to how we (Botswana) has made such strides in terms of football. It was quite encouraging,' he said.