Goal shy Zebras worry Tshosane

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Wednesday August 29, 2012 00:00

 

Tshosane told a media briefing yesterday that the team is having the same problem of lack of goals they had in the 2010 AFCON qualifiers. 'We continue to play goalless draws, which is not good if we want to go forward in any competition,' he said.

Tshosane said this a few hours before the team's departure for Nairobi, Kenya, where they will prepare before flying to Bamako to face Mali next weekend. On Sunday the Zebras played to a 0-0 draw against Uganda in Molepolole, their last competitive friendly match before facing Mali.

Prior to that the team had also played 0-0 against Swaziland in a three-nations tournament. They also played a 1-1 draw against South Africa in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. The only match in which the Zebras recently managed to score more than two goals was a 3-3 draw with Tanzania last month. Tshosane has come under much criticism for being ultra-defensive even when playing the weakest of opponents, a thing believed to be contributing to the goal drought.

In his defence, he said he had tried to have a reserve team in order to have a large pool of players in every position so that he can easily make replacements when the need arises, but this was not possible due to the BFA's financial constraints.

He said as a way of compromising, he keeps calling different players to training camps, to allow young players time to settle down in the team, first in the absence of senior players, and then mix them in another camp.Tshosane said from time to time he faces a problem of players not reporting to camp after being called up, a thing that interrupts his plans.

He said following a recent injury to Tebogo Sembowa, he called Onalethata Thekiso, but the player did not show up for personal reasons. Other players who recently shunned national team call-ups are the Moloi brothers Pontsho and Dirang, who cited their mother's sickness as a reason, as well as Jerome Ramatlhakwana, whose mom is also ailing.

On the team's overall performance, Tshosane said he has been impressed with the progress made, especially considering that the squad is in a revamping mode after losing eight players who played at the 2012 AFCON. He said they had played a good number of tough opposition and managed to hold them to draws, a positive sign that they are moving in the right direction.

Meanwhile, the team departs without all South African based players as arrangements have been made for them to join them in Kenya later in the week. Out of the team due to injuries are Mochudi Centre Chiefs new acquisition, Phenyo Mongala and Mosimanegape Ramoshibidu.

Centre back Ndiyapo Letsholathebe is also out due to a suspension after picking up two consecutive bookings, while Ntesang Simanyana could not make it due to school commitments. Ramatlhakwane is preparing to leave for Saudi Arabia where he will attend trials with an unnamed club. The team was expected to arrive in the Kenyan capital yesterday afternoon and will leave for Bamako on September 5 to acclimatise before playing on the match on September 8.

The BFA sent an advance team comprising welfare manager, Patrick Zibochwa and BFA officer, Stephen Maleka who has apparently given feedback that they are satisfied with the state of affairs in Mali as far as the team's safety and reception are concerned.