Young Zebras appeal for support

TSHEPO MOLWANE
Staff Writer | Friday July 11, 2008 00:00

 

The Zebras lead 2-0 after the first leg in Libreville a fortnight ago through goals by Flamengo Santos', Mogakolodi Ngele and Aubrey Kebonnetse of Township Rollers. The finals of the championship will be played in Rwanda next year.

Under-20 coach, Boyo Radipotsane, told Mmegi Sport yesterday that his charges are ready for the game though he is worried by the poor attendances. He said fans must support the Under-20 side like the senior Zebras because the young boys play entertaining football. 'We are concerned that Batswana are not attending our games and even the boys have raised their displeasure. I talked to BFA (Botswana Football Association) officials to make this game affordable so that the supporters can come in large numbers,' said Radipotsane. When the young lads beat Namibia at the National Stadium in the previous round, there were very few supporters.

Radipotsane pointed out that he expects a tough battle from the West Africans as they have nothing to lose. He said that the Gabonese team is good and has advantage because it fields professionals plying their trade in the European leagues. 'But since we know what to expect from them, we will compete. Since this will be a tricky fixture for us even a draw will be okay,' said the tactician. The Young Zebras tested their strength against league champions, Mochudi Centre Chiefs on Wednesday afternoon and looked impressive. They competed well with their more experienced opponents. After signs of stage fright in the previous round against Namibia, Radipotsane hopes that his boys will show character in tomorrow's game. Against Gabon, the Young Zebras will once again rely on Kebonnetse who has been leading the onslaught for the Botswana side in the qualifiers. The Gaborone Secondary School (GSS) student joined the team late on Wednesday as he was writing exams. He played in the dying minutes of the game against Chiefs. Captain Ntesang 'Mirror' Simanyana of Gaborone United limped out of the game with a swollen ankle, but Radipotsane said he expects him to be ready for the Gabon tie. Another star in the team, is Extension Gunners speedy winger Kgololo Leteane.

BFA chief executive officer, Tosh Kgotlele said yesterday that the youth team needs massive support from Batswana as it seeks its first qualification for a major tournament. 'This is our future team and they need our support. The fact that they have won away from home shows that the team has potential and it would be nice if they play in front a full house,' he said. The BFA added that they have made an arrangement that students enter the stadium free of charge to sit at the southern stands.

Kick-off is at 3pm and referees come from Malawi. Tickets are selling at P30 for the grand stands and P20 elsewhere. The winner of tomorrow's game will take on the winner between Reunion and South Africa in the next leg.

The following is the possible line-up for the Young Zebras;
Basimanebothe Moilwa, Simanyana, Gofaone Molapi, Galabgwe Moyana, Pako Lekgari, Gaopatwe Seosenyeng, Bakang Moeng, Kgaodi Odirile, Kebonnetse, Leteane and Ofentse Nato.