06 Feb 2014

Gaborone United head coach, David Bright says he is undaunted by the magnitude of the task facing his team in Saturday's CAF Confederations Cup clash against Supersport United.

The Reds enter the lion’s den on February 8 when they meet Supersport in the preliminaries’ first leg encounter at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Attridgeville (kick-off: 8pm).

The South Africans are in buoyant form in the Absa Premier League and currently lie fourth on the log standings, but Bright said, GU could come off with a good result.

“Supersport is a strong professional team and we have to be cautious. That is why we are not taking developmental players. We are going to attack them and look for an early goal,” said the GU boss.

Bright said he was encouraged by the fact that almost the whole GU team comprised players who had international experienced, having regularly played in continental competitions since 2010. GU reached the CAF Champions League last 16 stage in 2010 before they were eliminated 4-2 on aggregate by Dynamos of Zimbabwe.

They entered the Confederations Cup last year, but were eliminated in the first round by Liga Maculmana of Mozambique. Bright, who previously coached Santos in the South African top flight said he wanted his team to do better this year.

“I have never lost a match against Supersport and I am aware of the way they play,” said Bright. He said his players would be sharp after undergoing a week-long training programme with physical trainers.

The team also engaged a psychologist to boost the confidence of the players ahead of the crucial encounter. However, GU would be minus regular centre-back Gobonyeone ‘Shoes’ Selefa after it was discovered that his passport had expired. Striker Moemedi ‘Jomo’ Moatlhaping was also unavailable due to personal commitments.

Bright said Tebogo Sembowa and Ronald Chikomo would lead the attack, with Tebogo Sosome likely to partner Alphonse Modisaotsile in the heart of midfield. On the wings, the veteran mentor will likely go for the pace of Mandla Mgadla and Kgololo Kgogobi, making it an attacking GU line up.

At the back Letsweletse Seane, who has recently forced his way back into reckoning will partner the lanky Gaopatwe Seosenyeng.

The second leg is next weekend, and the winner would advance to the first round for a clash with the winner of the tie between Defence of Ethiopia and Leopards of Kenya. GU secretary, Herbert Letsebe said four buses will ferry travelling supporters across the border. ENDS