04 Sep 2014

Having missed two games against Guinea Bissau, the senior national football team captain, Joel Mogorosi, is back and ready to lead the team as they take on the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia in an AFCON qualifier on September 6.

Mogorosi said in an interview that the game would be difficult, adding that their mission was to put more effort to fight for the country. He said what inspired him most was the fact that all the youngsters who travelled with the team were showing signs of maturity.

Mogorosi said with the high moral in the camp, he was confident that after 90 minutes of play they would bring positive results.

The Zebras captain said it would be important for them to win or draw against Tunisia, saying “if we can win or draw this game, something good is going to happen again for the country. Remember, this is a game of football played by 11 players both sides.”

Although on paper the Zebras are the Group G under dogs, Mogorosi said players were prepared to fight to the bitter end.

Botswana is ranked 22^nd in Africa and 86^th in the world whereas Tunisia is at number six in Africa and 42 in the world.  Despite their unimpressive ranking, the Zebras had been doing well since the arrival of coach, Peter Butler.

But tomorrow, Zebras would have to score an away goal or win the game with a high number of goals so that they could stand a chance in the second leg in Botswana. If Zebras manage to get a win away from home that alone could inspire and motivate the team.

Captain Mogorosi will not only be leading the team into the field of play but he would be leading in front of the goal as well. The last time he scored was in the knockout stages against Burundi in the first leg when the Zebras won 1-0.

The game will be played at Olympic Rades Stadium in Monstir, a town 200 km from Tunis kickoff is 8:30 p.m . The Zebras are expected home on Monday and would play against Senegal on Wednesday, September 10, at the National Stadium. ENDS