Zebras out to

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Friday September 3, 2010 00:00

 

With their sights firmly set on AFCON 2012, the Stanley Tshosane coached side will be looking forward to further tightening their grip in Group 11.

The Togolese have history behind them but the Zebras will be buoyed by their recent good run. Botswana has made a blistering start, with two wins and one draw from three matches. The campaign to qualify for the 2012 AFCON to be co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon started with a shock 1-0 win in Tunisia followed by a similar victory at home against Chad.  A trip to Malawi yielded a commendable 1-1 draw, which put the Zebras firmly on course to qualify for the finals.However, the Zebras must not get carried away as there is still a long way to go.

Tshosane has already cautioned that qualification is still far from being achieved.

Goalkeeper Modiri Marumo, who was outstanding in the last match against Malawi, might be called into action several times as Togo can be expected to launch several raids into his area. The West Africans are still searching for their first win in the competition after two draws against Chad in Ndjamena and Malawi at home. While their record looks intimidating, The Sparrow Hawks are not the same side that qualified for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Their talisman and Manchester City forward, Emmanuel Adebayor will be missing from their line-up and the onus will fall on midfielder, Salifou Moustapha of Aston Villa.

Although Adebayor has mulled a return to the team after announcing his retirement from international football, it will not be against the Zebras tomorrow. The Zebras foreign contigent trooped into camp at the beginning of the week and Tshosane is spoilt for choice.  Marumo is a certainty in goals, while Musa Ohilwe is expected to keep his place at right back. Ndiyapo Letsholathebe will partner captain, Mompati Thuma in the central defence position. It is at left back where the Zebras have often been caught as Mosimanegape 'Twizer' Ramohibidu lacks pace.

With the return of Mafoko in the holding position, Ofentse Nato might make way, while Patrick Motsepe and Diphethogo Selolwane are expected to start in midfield.

Wide on the left should be Phenyo Mongala while Township Rollers captain, Joel Mogorosi is expected to operate on the right.Bustling striker, Jerome Ramatlhakwana might be the lone striker, but will receive ample support from the attacking Selolwane.Tshosane said some of the players who were carrying minor knocks have recovered and he has a full squad to pick from.

'I am happy with the way preparations have gone although I would have liked us to play an international friendly match.

Morale is high in camp and we are ready for our opponents on Saturday,' Tshosane said. Meanwhile, the Zebras Supporters Club, which went into hibernation during the team's lean spell, has suddenly resurfaced and held a prayer meeting for the team at the UB Stadium last night.