13 Feb 2015

After a lot of uncertainty about their participation in the CAF Confederation Cup,  BDF XI  yesterday left for the continental competition with a promise of bringing spoils home.

They will be hosted by Tanzania’s Young Africans tomorrow. Speaking at a press conference before their departure, the team’s vice-chairperson Christopher Mbaakanyi said they had managed to prepare their charges psychologically and were certain of a good result.

Team  captain, Mompati Thuma said the lack of adequate time for preparation would not be a hindrance. “As soldiers, we are always prepared for war and I can assure Batswana that we will do our best in Tanzania,” he said.

BDF XI coach, Letang Kgwengwenyane said Young Africans were a closed book to them, adding that the only thing they knew was that they were a good side.

He said they would employ a defensive approach, and catch them on counter attack, adding that if they could at least score two away goals, that alone would help them for the return match.

Young Africans is one of the oldest and big football teams in East Africa. The club has won Tanzania Premier League 24 times, Tanzania Cup 4 times and CECAFA cup 5 times. Meanwhile Township Rollers’ also left the same date for a Valentine date with South Africa’s  Kaizer Chiefs in a CAF champions league encounter.

The battle field will be one of South Africa if not the world’s most admired stadia, Soccer City. Rollers coach, Madinda Ndlovu, will lead his troops fresh from acquiring new coaching techniques from an  “A” license course he has been undertaking in his native country of Zimbabwe.

Rollers players who have been nursing injuries are now back, amongst them Segolame Boy, Otlantshekela Mooketsi, and Obonye Moswate. The trio trained with the team on Tuesday afternoon.

Their comeback might give Ndlovu sleepless nights in terms of who will be in the starting lineup given that the team has an arsenal of players who can match those of Kaizer Chiefs.

Rollers players who might cause havoc to the South African team  include amongst others, their country man, Manqoba Ngwenya, Namibian international Jerome Louis, Jerome Ramatlhakana, Segolame Boy, Kobomelo Kebaikanye, Motsholetsi Sikele, and Captain Skhana Koko.

On the other side, Township Rollers should guard against committing errors which might end up giving Chiefs free kicks because they have proven to be deadly in handling set pieces.

Again, Rollers should be wary of George Lebese, Bernard Parker, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, and Tefu Mashamaite of Chiefs. Ndlovu said they had prepared well for the encounter. ENDS