Zebras look to strike against Uganda
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday June 7, 2024 09:08
The team is in Uganda where they will take on the home side at the newly renovated Mandela National Stadium in Kampala. This is the third round of the qualifiers, with the Zebras occupying the playoff spot in Group G. The team sits second behind Algeria with three points. The Zebras have the same tally as Guinea, Uganda, and Mozambique while Somalia have yet to record a point and they occupy the bottom spot in the group. The Zebras started the campaign with a 3-2 loss at home to Mozambique but were quick to recover to beat visiting Guinea 1-0. It is the team's first away trip in the qualifiers with Uganda the first on the menu before a tie against Somalia early next week. Didier Gomes da Rosa is going for maximum points as he sees improvements in the team ahead of his only third official match with Zebras.
"We have to play this match with ambition, with personality. We have improved a lot since months back, we have improved in terms of defence, and we have to improve how we possess the game and it is starting to become really good. We have to go into this match thinking about one issue, and want to keep our chances in the World Cup qualifiers. We want to stay in our position so it is very important to perform and get maximum points," da Rosa said after Tuesday's training session. The French tactician's troops have fired blanks in their last two games. Zebras played to 0-0 draws against Burundi and Rwanda in an invitational tournament played in Madagascar in March. This makes it a single goal scored by the team in three friendly games played this year, with the last goal coming in the 1-1 draw against Mozambique in January. Da Rosa would want his team to find the scoring boots and he has an abundance of talent at his disposal.
The Botswana Premier League's top goal scorer with 16 goals Thabang Sesinyi is the team. Gaborone United's Molaodi Tlhalefang also returned to the national team fold and he has 12 league goals from his debut campaign with the Reds while Algerian-based Tumisang Orebonye is expected to add firework-power upfront. In addition, there are proven goal scores and providers, Kabelo Seakanyeng and Segolame Boy, while youngster Oarabile Sekwai is also an option upfront. Da Rosa complained about the training ground availed to the team in Uganda but still believes the team is better prepared to stun the 92nd-ranked Uganda at home. "We have to work on technical process and to improve there. It would be very, very important to be disciplined and we do have a plan. I am happy to see the players in training. Even though the training ground is not that good, to see them with a positive character and positive spirit, I am happy and very satisfied. We watched all their last six matches and we have examined their tactics. This is a good team, they ranked 92 in FIFA rankings and they play a lot of AFCON tournaments, so this is a good team," said da Rosa. Kick-off is 6pm Botswana time.
The full Zebras squad Goalkeepers: Goitseone Phoko (Galaxy), Kabelo Dambe (Rollers), and Thabo Motswagole (GU)
Defenders: Mosha Gaolaolwe, Motsholetsi Sikele (both Rollers), Tebogo Kopelang (Systems), Thatayaone Ditlhokwe (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa), Obakeng Senono (Masitaoka), Alphord Velaphi (GU), and Benson Mangolo (IHEFU SC, Tanzania)
Midfielders: Gape Mohutsiwa (Aso-Chlef, Algeria), Olebogeng Ramotse (Masitaoka), Gape Modingwane (BDF XI), Phenyo Serameng (Rollers), Koketso Majafi, Gape Thibedi (Orapa United), and Gilbert Baruti (Galaxy)
Forwards: Tumisang Orebonye (AS Far, Morocco), Kabelo Seakanyeng (OCK, Morocco), Molaodi Tlhalefang (GU), Thabang Sesinyi (Galaxy), Segolame Boy (Rollers), and Oarabile Sekwai (Police XI)