22 Aug 2024

Jwaneng Galaxy and Orapa United will this weekend go into the final legs of the first preliminary rounds in the CAF Champions league and CAF Confederations Cup respectively, confident of progress.

   Galaxy welcomes Namibian champions, African Stars on Saturday at the National Stadium, while Orapa United returns a date against Forester FC of Mauritius at the same venue on Sunday. 

Despite unconvincing results in the first legs, both teams indicated their confidence in progressing to the second preliminary round. In the first leg, Orapa United played to a one-all draw away while Galaxy fell by a solitary goal away in Gaborone. 

In an interview, Galaxy spokesperson, Tankiso Morake said even though they go into the game trailing, reversing a one-goal margin was a surmountable task. “If they managed to score a goal in 90 minutes, so can we, and we can even do better. Remember that Galaxy is not new to rising to the occasion when many least expect,” he said. He cited their historic 2021 CAF Champions league game against Simba SC of Tanzania, where they lost 0-2 in Botswana before beating Simba 3-1 away, winning the game 3-3 on the away goal rule. 

He said they were aware of the strengths of their opponent, which contributes the most players to the Namibian national team. He, however, said in the first leg, Galaxy was more undone by failure to take their chances at goal than being outplayed. “We kept them under pressure for most of the game, only that they managed to take a chance against our defensive lapse while we failed to convert our numerous chances,” he said. 

All their players are available, including new off-season signings such as Onkabetse Makgantai and Thabiso Bante, and that the possibility of Omaatla Kebatho making his return after recovering from a long-term injury is high.

He, therefore, said they would go into the game with nothing but attack in mind, but will be cautious, as African Stars were likely to defend with a low block and await any chances on counter attacks. 

For his part, Orapa United media and marketing officer, Emmanuel Seiphetho, said with hindsight after the first leg, they know just how to handle their opponent. 

“When we went to Mauritius, they were a closed book to us, but now we know their style of play. Although they are a good side, they are a bit slow and only have about two dangerous players playing for the national team,” he said. Their main concern was conceding in the last minutes of the game, which has persisted over the years. “We scored first and they equalised in the dying minutes of the game. This is the same problem that we have been facing and it was even apparent in the last two successive FA Cup finals where we conceded in the last minutes,” he said.

Seiphetho said The Ostriches would go into the game without any pressure as they have seasoned players who are well accustomed to playing under pressure, including their new signings. 

Some of the new signings expected to play include DRC winger, Anyembo Aime, right back, Botsile Sakana and left back, Osego Gothusang. 

Both teams appealed to the nation to come cheer them on at the National Stadium in large numbers, and both games will kick off at 4pm. 

Should they progress, Galaxy would face the winner between Disciples FC of Madagascar and Orlando Pirates of South Africa, while Orapa United would face either Dynamos FC of Zimbabwe or ZESCO United of Zambia. ENDS