The two sides will clash at Obed Itani Stadium in a Group B champions league encounter. Both sides are sitting on four points. Galaxy are second of the group on goal difference, behind ASEC. A win will put them in a pole position to qualify for the knockout stages. Simba are third on two points while Waydad Athletic are bottom of the group without a point. All teams in the group have played two rounds of matches. Ramoreboli was addressing the media over the weekend after his side played to a goalless draw against Simba at the same venue.
Obed Itani is considered the home of football because fans often attend matches staged at the venue, in numbers. Given Simba’s pedigree in African football many had expected that the fans will attend the match in numbers. But the turn up was almost appalling. “Sometimes we need to check if we did enough activations in terms of marketing the game,” Ramoreboli said in reaction to the less satisfactory attendance over the weekend. He added, “I will urge them (fans) to come and support us in our next game. It is a very important game. We are now representing the whole of Botswana and when we are doing well the recognition that the country gets help grow football (in the country). I believe that when they are here it will give us that extra energy,” Ramoreboli said. However, the coach downplayed suggestions that the dull atmosphere at the stadium might have contributed to the team’s nearly average performance against Simba. “I don’t really think it affected us because when you look at the numbers, this is the same number that we get at our home ground. We are not a team that plays with fans, but I think 12th player can give us extra energy. We will make them proud,” said Ramoreboli. Reacting to match against Simba Ramorobeli said that a draw is what both sides deserved. “As much as we wanted three points, sometimes we don’t have to be greedy. Both teams were not prepared to lose three points. We have another home against ASEC,” said the South African national.
He added that with a bit of urgency and aggression his side could have won the weekend encounter. “I don’t really think we were aggressive especially where we won the ball. That was the area we could have hurt them. After winning the ball we needed that pass behind the defenders which was the only space we could play because they were very slow in terms of recovering. But like I said we will take the point and prepare for ASEC,” he said. It was a match in which both sides were content with showing their defensive prowess instead of attacking.
The Teams:
Galaxy: Goitseone Phoko, Moagi Sechele, Lesego Keredilwe, Thabo Leinenyane, Benson Mangolo, Percy More (Fortunate Thulare) Doctor David, Gilbert Baruti (Gift Moyo), Thatayaone Ramatlapeng (Wendell Rudath), Thabang Sesinyi, Daniel Msedami (Cleopas Dube)
Simba FC: Ayoub Lakred, Jean Othos, Fabrice Ngoma, Willy Onana (Cleotas Chama), Sadio Kanoute, Ntibazonkiza Saidi (Moses Phiri), Shomari Kapombe, Mohamed Mohamed, Junior Che (Henock Baka), Kibu Prosper (Luis Miquissone)
Galaxy 0 Simba 0
