26 Mar 2015

Zebras' preparations for the COSAFA tournament continue when they face the Mambas of Mozambique at the New Lobatse Stadium on Sunday (March 29) at 4pm.

The Mambas hosted Zebras in 2011 in an international friendly game where they shared the spoils in a one-all draw. Jomo Moatlhaping scored Zebras’s solitary goal under the tutelage of the then coach Stanley Tshosane.

Therefore, this weekend's fixture could be a tough assignment for Zebras mentor, Peter Butler, who will be facing the Mambas for the first time. He will be relying on his boys to secure victory.

The Zebras will come in the pitch having received a morale booster from their younger brothers (Under 23 National Team) who represented the country well in an international friendly played on Wednesday by defeating Lesotho by two goals to nil. 

Butler has called South African-based Bloemfontein Celtic duo Joel Mogorosi and Mogogi Gabonamong as well as Platinum stars goal keeper Kabelo Dambe who might be instrumental in the game to guarantee the Zebras a win on Sunday.

Several youngsters like Nico United striker Onkabetse Makgantai and Gaborone United goal keeper Goitseone Phoko have also been included in the squad as they have been giving outstanding performances at their respective clubs recently. It will be an opportunity for them to prove that they deserve a promotion into the senior national team.

Though given the motivation of the victory over Lesotho, Butler’s boys should not enter the game with a walk over mentality but rather approach the match with caution in order to secure themselves a win and make Batswana proud. 

The Mambas who will also be using the game to prepare for COSAFA 2015 will treat the game with the seriousness it deserves and would want to emerge victorious on Sunday. 

They are likely to give the Zebras respect even though the local side is not regarded as one of the super powers in the African football fraternity. Mozambique will be eager to show that they are a better side compared to Botswana. 

The Mambas did not have an impressive record in their last three games as they suffered two defeats against Zambia and Cape Verde and a one-all draw against Niger. 

They will be eyeing to use the Zebras game to improve on their current form. It is likely to be an entertaining game and thus football fans are likely to throng the Lobatse Stadium this Sunday. ENDS