'Misfiring' Zebras urged not to throw in the towel

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Friday June 14, 2013 00:00

 

The team is already out of the race following last Saturday's 2-1 home defeat by Ethiopia at the New Lobatse Stadium. They still have two matches to play before the end of the qualifiers.The Zebras host Central Africa Republic (CAR) in Lobatse tomorrow in a game which both sides will be just honouring as the race for who qualifies from the group now lies between South Africa and Ethiopia. The two will clash in what could be a decider in Addis Ababa also on tomorrow.

At a luncheon hosted for the team at Gaborone Sun yesterday, Kgathi said a win is still important for them even if they are out of the qualifiers. He said they still have a reputation to protect and that winning is the desired result in any competitive sport. The minister had invited Olympic silver medallist Nigel Amos and reigning world champion

Amantle Montsho to give the players some motivation. Botswana Football Association (BFA) president Tebogo Sebego, chief executive officer (CEO) Keith Masters and Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) Chairperson Solly Reikeletseng and other high ranking sports officials attended the function.

Sebego also told the team not to be discouraged as there is everything to play for. He said their performance over the last two matches has been improving and it will be fitting to notch a win against Central Africans.CAR lie third in the group, a spot above Botswana, whom they beat 2-0 in the first round for their only win in the qualifiers.

They were scheduled to arrive yesterday afternoon and have their training session at the venue this morning. The technical press conference for the match is also scheduled for this morning. Tshosane is expected to field a strong team, perhaps the same starting line-up that played Ethiopia. Ofentse Nato makes a return to the squad after missing the Ethiopia match due to suspension. Last week Tshosane partnered Dirang Moloi and Jackie Mothatego in midfield where they did very well, with the former dishing a man of the match performance. Kick-off is at 3:00 pm.