15 Feb 2024

Tsabong VDC ground is set for a thrilling encounter between First Division side, Desert Nxau and Second Division side, Face Walker 11 FC in the round of last 48 Orange FA Cup on Saturday.

Desert Nxau head coach Aobakwe Seloselong promised an electrifying game as his players had been training hard and were fit and ready to beat their opponents.  

“Our preparations are going very well. For this game, we have prepared differently because this is not a league game. It is a knock out tournament where we anticipate high intensity play. All players are available in the camp, no cards have been booked, we have no injuries. We have changed two or three players and we are ready to play,” he said.

Seloselong said they were alive to the fact that they were facing a second division team but they would not underestimate them.

“We are not going to give them chance to pass the ball. We have been working on our tact to close them off and deny them opportunity to dominate,” he said.

To sharpen their game play, he said the Tsabong-based team affectionately called Boys II Men worked on improving adaptability to hot climatic conditions and had been training under scorching sun having moved their training schedule from 6pm to 5pm to condition players’ bodies to be able to cope with the heat at kickoff time.

He promised a scintillating encounter and that they would deliver good quality football to their supporters and  encouraged them to come in good numbers to the game to give players moral support.

Walker 11 FC, head coach Phenyo Kgosiesele said preparations on their camp were going well.

“Players have been responding well. Our moral is very high. We are excited and we will go all out against Desert Nxau. Our game plan is to dominate them.  We know that we will be up against a First Division team so we will not allow them to intimidate us. We are not going to give them chance,” he said.

He said Walker 11 FC aka Bafana ba Sedudu based in Molepolole had experience of playing First division teams.

“We know their intensity and we have been working on tact to contain them,” he said.

Kgosiesele said they had also been conditioning players to play on a bigger pitch without a turf to enable them to match Desert Nxau players pound for pound.

He also encouraged their supporters to come along.

“We need their support to come and encourage us. We know that we are going to have pressure playing away from home,” he said.

Meanwhile in other Orange FA fixtures, Notwane will take on Union Flamengo Santos at SSG grounds, Blue Stars FC welcomes Taung Young Strikers FC in Ghanzi while Magosi FC takes on Mochudi Centre Chiefs at Matsha College in Kang.
VTM FC welcomes Matebele FC at VTM Arena.

On Sunday, Pula Roofing FC faces City Polar at Ramodibe grounds, Sand Diamonds FC welcomes Jwaneng Young Stars at Tshane while UB Hawks faces neighbours, Tlokweng United at the SSG grounds. ENDS