Botswana is ready to add result to performance- assistant coach Kenneth Mogae

 

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It has been frantic but focused preparation time in the Botswana camp in Ngouoni, Gabon as the Zebras get ready to engage Guinea in a battle of two teams that lost their opening matches in Group D. The Zebras and Guinea both want to avoid defeat to keep hopes of staying in the competition alive. Cafonline.com caught up with Zebras assistant coach Kenneth Mogae ahead of the crucial tie to be played on Saturday in Franceville.

 

Cafonline.com: After losing the first game what will you do differently to win on Saturday?

 

Mogae: We looked at our first game and accepted that although we had played well and given a good account of ourselves there are a few things we have been looking at in training but we  don’t need to make much in the way of change but we want to build on the good performance from the Ghana game.  The coach spoke to the boys and told them he was not disappointed with the performance but would like to add results to that kind of play. Our boys know the importance of this game against Guinea so we are saying to them do as little mistakes as possible and you’ll be successful.

 

Cafonline.com: You stayed behind to watch Guinea play what did you learn about them?

 

Mogae: Guinea is one team we did not know much about coming into this tournament and yes it was good to watch them play. They are a strong side with some quick players but also very physical side. We will not try and match them on the physical side with our smaller guys so we have to be smart in our game against them. 

 

 

Cafonline.com: How important is it to haveDipsy Selolwane back for this game?

 

Mogae: That is a huge boost to us to have a quality and experienced player like Dipsy back in the side. As l said before we played well in the first game and we would like to minimize our mistakes and put into effect our strength and Dipsy will add to our sharpness for the Guinea game.

 

Cafonline.com: You knew that you would be up against a physical side like Guinea , how did you prepare for them during the run up to the tournament?

 

Mogae: We camped in Cameroon and played against one of the premier league teams who were physically big and strong just like Guinea and we appreciated the challenges that came with facing a side like that. We are hopeful this will stand us well for the Guinea contest. Guinea will also have to be on the lookout for what Botswana brings to the game, so with football you always can expect three results, win draw or loss and we are going into this game with that in mind.

 

Cafonline.com: There is also that awaited moment when Botswana will score their first ever goal at the finals, you almost got it last Tuesday do you see it coming on Saturday?

 

Mogae: Oh yes we cannot wait for that, we are playing in our maiden Africa Cup of Nations and we thought we had got it against Ghana and we were all up on our feet ready to celebrate a goal but that goal line clearance by the Ghanaian defender means we now look to Saturday for that historic moment. I am hopeful it will come against Guinea.

 

 

Cafonline.com: Is everyone fit and ready from your squad?

 

Mogae: Apart from left back Mosimanegape Ramohibidu who has been down with lower abdominal pain and is being monitored everyone is well we are injury free