Another stern test for Selapa

TSHEPO MOLWANE
Staff Writer | Wednesday October 10, 2007 00:00

 

With first-choice goalkeeper Noah Maposa suspended after accumulating yellow cards, it means that Under-23 coach David Bright will rope in Selapa.

The Young Zebras have yet to win a match in the qualifiers after a 0-0 draw against visiting Cameroon and two away losses in Guinea (2-0) and Morocco (1-0).  Bright told a press conference on Monday that the absence of Maposa is not a big deal. 'Currently, the morale is high and we have played so many games without some of our key players. I have confidence in the pool of players that we have,' he said.

Selapa made his debut for the Young Zebras in March in the 1-0 win over Tunisia 1-0 at the National Stadium. He came on for the injured Maposa and though he fumbled because of pressure from the supporters, the ECCO City Greens' goalkeeper showed that he has potential.

He was in goal when the Young Zebras lost 4-0 on aggregate to South Africa in the All Africa Games (AAG) qualifiers in April.  He told Mmegi Sport yesterday that he is ready for the challenge on Saturday and he has overcome the stage fright he suffered when he made his debut for the Young Zebras six months ago. 'My confidence has grown now after playing at the tournaments in South Africa and in China. I have told myself that if given the opportunity on Saturday, I have to be calm and do the job,' he said. The towering goalkeeper has been chosen in the squad alongside Notwane's Mompoloki 'Wrist' Sephekolo. Meanwhile, Bright told the press conference that his charges are geared up for the clash with the West Africans. 'I am happy we have achieved some of the things which were lacking during our away game in Guinea. We played a Serbian team (Partizan FC) and the win has boosted the morale of the players. We did not want to play a tougher opposition because we wanted to avoid injuries,' said Bright. He asserted that if they had played a tougher opposition and lost, it would have killed the morale of the players.

South-African based midfielder, Phenyo Mongala is expected to join the squad anytime. Unfortunately, the Young Zebras will be without Moemedi 'Jomo' Moatlhaping who has been with the senior national team. 'We have played so many international games without Jomo, of course he is one of our key players but his absence cannot stop us from playing,' Bright said.  Botswana Football Association (BFA) has announced that tickets for the Guinea game will start selling on Friday. Grand stand will be charged P50, Pandamatenga will be P30, while the southern and northern stands will cost P20. 'There was a mistake when the tickets were printed. It indicated that kick-off is at 3pm but be advised that the game will start at 4pm,' said BFA chief executive officer Tosh Kgotlele.