National Stadium turns into CAF battlefield
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday August 17, 2024 06:00
The Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) has opened the doors to neighbouring countries' teams and the National Stadium will be the centre of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation first legs preliminary rounds of qualifiers. Due to lack of CAF-approved stadiums in Namibia and Zimbabwe, African Stars and Dynamos have sought refuge at the National Stadium. Namibian champions, African Stars are home away from home as they clash with local champions, Jwaneng Galaxy on Saturday afternoon. Galaxy are aiming to make the most of playing in familiar grounds over the two legs.
The team that finished in the group stages in the previous season is targeting similar progress again. The Galaxy Stars have been actively preparing behind closed doors, as the team did not take part in any high profile pre-season fixture. During the GM's Soccer Challenge tournament held recently, head coach Morena Ramoreboli had an opportunity to assess the returning players and the new legs in the team. The league champions have been one of the busiest in the transfer market with the acquisitions of forward, Onkabetse Makgantai, midfielder, Olebogeng Ramotse, defender, Tebogo Kopelang, and Thabiso Bante.
The team welcomes back Omaatla Kebatho and Namibian midfielder, Dynamo Fredericks, who missed the whole of last season due to injuries. The Galaxy Stars might a have battle on their hands against the Namibian champions. African Stars have spent majority of their pre-season training in Botswana. The team has pulled wins over Gaborone United and Masitaoka, and recently managed a slim 1-0 win over Township Rollers in their own backyard last weekend. African Stars made an early journey to the east as they arrived in Gaborone on Monday to begin their final preparations for the Galaxy tie. Last season, the Namibians progressed to the second round of the CAF competition but were stopped by Zambia's Zesco United and will be hoping for a much better showing this time around. 'So far I would not want to go in to much but I would say it has been a smooth activation and players are recovering (from the trip) and players have been gelling.
With the captain coming on board today (Wednesday) as well I think the team is in the right moment where we want them to be and also the simple basics we have been working on. So I think they are good,' African Stars' assistant coach, Benni Haoseb told the club's media. On Sunday afternoon, the National Stadium will host to a tie between Dynamos of Zimbabwe and Zesco United of Zambia in a CAF Confederations Cup clash set for 3pm. The local national cup winners, Orapa United have, meanwhile, flown to Mauritius to take on Foresters FC in the first leg of the CAF Confederations Cup preliminary round. The Ostriches will have to do battle under unfavourable weather conditions, as the tropical island is experiencing heavy rainfalls this weekend. The match takes place on Saturday evening, with 7pm kick-off.