Zebras waylay Madagascar

The senior mens national team, the Zebras will over the weekend tussle against Madagascar in the second round of the CHAN qualifiers.

The Zebras will play host to Madagascar this Saturday and the team is expected to use its home ground advantage to beat their stubborn opponents who have become very competitive over the years.

Mogomotsi Mpote’s troops have been getting ready for this big match and are expected to give their all following their hard fought victory in the first round against Lesotho.

For this game, Mogomotsi Mpote is expected to field a very strong team with Goitseone Phoko expected to take up his role between the sticks, while the defense will likely include Doctor David (Jwaneng Galaxy) Mothusi Johnson (Gaborone United) Alford Velaphi (Gaborone United) and Mosha Gaolaolwe (Township Rollers).

The midfield should be solidified with Lebogang Ditsele, shielding the defensive line with his experience and hardwork. The Mogobane born defensive midfielder will be expected to win a lot of challenges in the midfield.

On the other hand, Tawana Mbakile and Mpho Kgaswane will be unleashed to go into the attacking areas; as the pondering Mpho Kgaswane will be given the role of creatively spreading out the passes to the attacking players and at most times delivering crosses to the box with his telling right foot.

Upfront, Thero Setsile, Mbatshi Elias and Godfrey Tauyatswala are likely to lead the line, the trio will be expected to stay in around the box and pose threats to the opponents with their on and off the ball movements, in this case, Mbatshi will be deployed as a finisher in a more central role while the other two support him from wide attacking areas.

Mpote will have to be mindful that this competition has eluded the Zebras more often and the side has never gone further in this tournament thus his tactics should come out to play and the mentality of his players should resonates in their play.

However, Madagascar will not be a pushover for any side, the team has been developing and growing in leaps and bounds and have been competitive and having played the last two AfCON tournaments they go into this game as favorites to win while Zebras on the other hand have a point to prove.

The return leg of this game will be played in Antananarivo in Madagascar on September 3 to determine who will be going to the next round of this tournament.