09 Jun 2024

Still smarting from a 0-1 loss against Uganda in a Group G match of the ongoing FIFA Wrold Cup 2026 qualifiers on Friday, the senior national football team, Zebras hope to redeem their pride as they come face to face with The Ocean Stars of Somalia in Mozambique today.

Following the Friday loss, Zebras is now sitting on fifth position in Group G log standing with three points.

Somalia is raked 199 in World, but on paper it might look an easy prey given that after three outings, they have not won a single game and on Friday they lost 1-2 to Mozambique.

With Somalia, Zebras will come up against a team with good players who have the potential to cause havoc in their defence.

Playing against Somalia may prove challenging for Zebras given that they had to travel from Uganda to Mozambique, while Somalia played in Mozambique and will be using the same field they used against Mozambique to play against the Zebras.

However, since it is a neutral venue for both teams, that should also be an advantage to Zebras as they too have been to the same stadium and know what to expect in terms of weather conditions.

Both team are wounded buffaloes, but The Zebras will have to show no respect to their opponents and should go all out to win the match.

However, it remains to be seen how coach Didier Da Rosa will approach today’s game as on Friday, he played defensive with six defenders and with wingers dropping deep into their half. The duo of Thabang Sesinyi and Gilbert Baruti, both from Jwaneng Galaxy are a good pair with Benson Mangolo running his flank up and down to help add numbers in most creative situations.

Mosha Gaolaolwe and Gape Mohutsiwa are very solid midfielders who play in a deep line though Gaolaolwe sometimes enjoys pushing forward to aid offensive.

Gilbert Baruti is expected to link the defensive and the offensive lines while Mangolo and Motsholetsi Sikele roles will be to go up and add numbers in offensive lines.

ENDS