Ditsele’s Zebras woes persist
Lebogang Ditsele was one of the big names omitted from the recent Zebras squad, which went into camp on Wednesday.
The Jwaneng Galaxy midfielder remains a key component in midfield and possesses crucial experience garnered from his brief stint in the South African Premiership between 2016 and 2017, where he featured for Highlands Park.
Former Zebras coach, Peter Butler gave Ditsele his national team debut in 2015 when the gangly midfielder was just 19.
The following season his big breakthrough came when he landed a contract with Highlands Park.
A lot was expected from the former Township Rollers fringe player, but he was back in the local league in 2017.
In 2019, he made the headlines for the wrong reasons when he was captured sneaking alcohol into camp.
The CCTV cameras captured the incident, resulting in his suspension from the national team. The nickname ‘CCTV’ stuck with him since
then. Zebras coach, Adel Amouche is a strict disciplinarian after wielding the axe of influential local stars such as Thero Setsile, Mothusi Cooper, Mothusi Johnson, Ditsele and Onkabetse Makgantai, all for disciplinary issues.
The other players have reportedly apologised and this week Amrouche
welcomed Setsile, Johnson and Mankgantai back into the fold.
However, there was still no room for Ditsele, who played a blinder against Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of the CAF Champions League.
It is reported that Ditsele was initially in the squad, but had to be dropped owing to a disciplinary issue.
Still only 24, Ditsele would get other Zebras opportunities, but there are concerns over his off-thefield antics.
He recently posted a video smoking a hubbly, which could have further infuriated the coach.
Meanwhile, Zebras could play Rwanda as they prepare for a make or break encounter against Zimbabwe next month.
The Zebras stand a good chance of qualifying for next year’s tournament, which will be held in Rwanda.
However, Amrouche bemoaned lack of domestic action, with football remaining on the sidelines.
“It is not easy without the league in the country.
It is a challenge to have players at the good level,” Amrouche said when he called up players for the local camp.