09 Sep 2014

The senior national football team is expected to redeem its pride when it meets Senegal's the Lions of Teranga in a 2015 AFCON qualifier tonight (September 10) at the National Stadium.

The Zebras arrived home on September 8 from Tunisia where they lost 2-1. On one hand, Lions of Teranga have also arrived in Botswana beaming with confidence after beating seven times AFCON champions Egypt 2-0.

However, Zebras coach, Peter ‘PJ’ Butler and his troops will not allow coach Alain Giresse and his players to dictate terms in front of their 12^th player.

However, some Batswana are of the view that the game is going to be physical and very interesting because the Zebras will be in the no retreat, no surrender mood.

Former Zebras player, Khumo ‘Shoes’ Motlhabane said Senegal is a good team; therefore Botswana must try at all cost to defend well, with and without the ball.

“I wish to see the team keep the ball more than rush forward in break attack to lose it. The coach has not changed the mentality we always had of defending deep, are we ever going to try at least to defend in the middle of the pitch than deep in our half,” he said.

He said Zebras played well against Tunisia given that they had a good moment of sharing the ball, adding good distribution of the ball that should not come to players like it’s a mistake, but all the players should believe in it and make it work.

Kagiso Kgaogano said since Senegal was a closed book for the Zebras, it would be imperative for the Zebras technical team to stick to their game plan.

He said having watched the Zebras playing against Tunisia and Egypt against Senegal, the Zebras should frustrate their opponents in the middle of the field and ultimately get them on counter attack.

Kgolagano further said the Zebras should also improve on the ball retention, and guard against committing many fouls around their own box, he however urged supporters to fill the stadium to motivate the team.

“The supporters must desist from booing the team when the going gets tough,” he said, and predicted that the game will end up with two-all draw.

Kemoneilwe Bosena said the team should avoid committing errors in addition to that the goalkeeper and his defence should communicate to avoid making any mistakes.

She said the fact that some players are on yellow card might disadvantage the team, given that they will try by all means to trade cautiously, therefore giving their opponents more room to maneuver.

Bosena further said the players should not be threatened by Senegalese big names but should play their normal game adding that judging the Zebras fighting spirit she is of the view that they will beat the Lions of Teranga 2-1.

Gosata Ramahobo said the team should defend well and tries to keep possession, and avoids playing deep as that can end up exposing them. According to Ramahobo, players should also be careful about making late tackles as Senegal can utilise their height in set pieces.

He said the most important thing in tomorrow’s game is to contain the opponents in the opening 15-20 minutes and try to settle into the game and try to catch them on counter attacks especially from the flanks.

He said in games of this magnitude, Modiri Marumo’s experience can come in handy “ I am not undermining the current keeper, Kabelo Dambe, he has done a lot for this country, but I think Marumo is more experienced and more hungrier,” he said. The game starts at 7pm at the National stadium. ENDS