14 Jun 2013

When the Zebras trot into the field tomorrow (June 15) against the Central African Republic, they would have one thing in mind: defeat the visitors to win back supporters' trust and love.

A disappointed nation, displeased by the Zebras failure to make an impact since qualifying for their maiden African Cup of Nations tournament in 2012, would certainly be hoping for a good performance to exorcise the ghosts of a terrible past year.

And, coach Stanley Tshosane will have a mammoth task of propelling his misfiring squad to victory in the FIFA World Cup qualifier billed for Lobatse.

Speaking at a press conference this morning (June 14), Tshosane sounded the optimistic note that while his team’s hopes of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup had been shattered, they were now focusing on building for other competitions such as COSAFA and CHAN.

A few positives were to be picked from their past two matches, a creditable one-all draw away to Egypt in Cairo, and, though it would be foolhardy to consider succumbing 2-1 at home to Ethiopia as a good result, the flowing football played and chances created proved the local side did have potential.

Tshosane promised a good performance, saying they would look to reverse the 2-0 score line his side suffered in that ill-fated June 2, 2012 afternoon in Bangui, that set the tone for a disappointing World Cup campaign.

The national mentor promised a full squad, saying though Dirang Moloi, Jerome Ramatlhakwane, Tshepo Motlhabankwe and Ndiyapo Letsholathebe had sustained minor injuries, they were to be assessed by the team physiotherapist and expectations were that they would pass their fitness tests.

Ofentse Nato and Michael Pepukani, who were not part of the squad that faced Ethiopia in the past weekend would be available for this weekend’s fixture.

CAR is a nation sadly better known for a history of conflict, from the era of the self-styled emperor Jean-Bedel Bokassa, who reigned with an iron fist in the 1970s, to the recent Seleka Rebels conflict, than a football pedigree. 

But they started well in the qualifiers, but a 3-0 loss to South Africa over the past weekend in the neutral venue of Yaunde Cameroon put paid to their qualification chances. Their coach, Loungoudji Herve blamed the conflict of the past year for his side’s decline.

“We started well, but the civil war put us in a difficult situation.  You need funds for proper preparations; but they cannot be availed when there is conflict,” Herve said.

CAR would be well aware that while victories over Botswana and Ethiopia in their last two matches would not be enough to trouble Ethiopia on 10 points, and a resurgent South African side that needed to win their last two matches to qualify.

But they would also be aware that victories over Botswana and Ethiopia could go a long way in boosting their morale ahead of next year’s AFCON 2015 qualifiers.

While Herve said some of his regulars had failed to travel with the squad and he would be forced to use youngsters to augment his team, the Zebras should expect a tough fixture nonetheless.

But, after a disappointing campaign, Batswana will look forward to nothing less than a victory from Tshosane’s team.  ENDS