18 Jun 2018

Zebras coach Major David Bright says he has assembled a team capable of competing in the remaining five qualifiers for 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The Zebras produced an eye-catching performance in the recent COSAFA Cup held in South Africa. 

Though they lost against Zimbabwe in the quarter-finals and South Africa in the plate final, the team showed plenty of promise in victories against Angola, Mauritius and Swaziland.

Players like midfielders, Alphonse Modisaotsile, Karabo Phiri and Godiraone Modingwane, defenders Tshepo Maikano and Lesego Keredilwe as well as goalkeeper Mwampole Masule, who were not regular starters before the tournament, gave assured performances in Polokwane.

Onkabetse Makgantai showed that he could take over the mettle of spearheading the Zebras attack, as he plundered five goals to finish as the tournament top-scorer while Kabelo Seakanyeng and Lesenya Ramoraka also sparkled.

“The boys have shown us that they can compete. If we beef up with senior players, I think we will have a very strong team for the African Cup of Nations qualifiers,” Bright said when addressing reporters at Lekidi Football Centre last week.

“When I look at the tournament as a whole, our boys did very well. If we could have started from the quarter-finals like South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and other countries, probably we could have gone to the final,” added the 62-year-old coach who is on his fourth spell with the national team.

Bright said he would retain the core of the team which impressed in Polokwane and beef it with experienced players like Lemponye Tshireletso, Segolame Boy, Simisani Mathumo and Mosha Gaolaolwe for the AFCON qualifiers.

Currently, the Zebras are in third place in Group I after succumbing to a 1-0 home defeat to Mauritania in their first match last year at the Francistown Sports Complex.

Their next two qualifying assignments are away to Angola in September and Burkina Faso in October. ENDs