Kebonnetse returns to action in the US

THATO KALA
Correspondent | Friday November 12, 2010 00:00

 

The former Under-20 captain missed the first leg a fortnight ago after picking up a knee injury late in September.

In an interview from his United States of America (USA) base, he revealed that he has started playing college football and is getting back to shape.

'The coach has been bringing me in gradually since I was coming from an injury. He did not want to risk me,' he said.

National Under-23 coach Daniel 'Chicco' Nare will be excited to hear the news after having fielded a depleted side in the first leg.

The youngster is also itching to don Botswana national colours.

'There is nothing in this world I value more than putting on that blue and black kit and representing my country. I would play through any pain as I have in the past and my coaches and team mates know that,' he said.

Apart from Kebonnetse, the Young Zebras were without the Santos' duo of Thato 'Yellow' Bolweleng and Mogakolodi 'Tsotso' Ngele during the first leg that they won 1-0 on home soil. Kebonnetse, therefore, believes the return of the pair will be a major boost for the team.

'Hopefully, Tsotso and Yellow will be back to reinforce the team, which is vital for away games. Whether or not I am there, I have faith in the coaches and the guys,' Kebonnetse said. Meanwhile, in-form Santos and Zebras' duo of Mogogi Gabonamong and Boitumelo Mafoko led their side to a shock win over Kaizer Chiefs in the South African Premiership on Wednesday night.

Santos defeated Amakhosi 1-0 with both Gabonamong and Mafoko being outstanding.

National team coach Stanley Tshosane will, in all probability, be a happy man as the pair are expected to be pivotal in next Wednesday's Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) clash against Tunisia.

Gabonamong, who returns to the Zebras' fold, after a long sojourn, is likely to replace injured centre-back Ndiyapo Letsholathebe.

The South African Daily Dispatch praised Gabonamong for his contribution on the night: 'They (Chiefs) had most of the possession, but the Santos' back pair of Mogogi Gabonamong and Peter Mponda were solid, forcing Musona to shift wide, where he was less effective.'

Tshosane, who confirmed Letsholathebe's absence ahead of the Tunisia clash, gave a strong hint that Gabonamong may be thrown into the fray on Wednesday.

The Santos' captain has seemingly managed to win back his starting berth at The People's Team. The Chiefs' game was his third full game after the season. Prior to the tie he had only featured in last Saturday's Telkom Cup fixture against Mpumalanga Black Aces and the opening match of the season against Free State Stars. The former Township Rollers and Mochudi Centre Chiefs' star only missed one game for Santos last season. He started 27 games, coming on as a substitute twice. Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates' Phenyo Mongala was on the sidelines when the Buccaneers drew 0-0 with AmaZulu on Wednesday night.