DIGGING DEEP
‘Now or never’ as mining giants go again
Following decent results in their opening matches, mining brothers - Jwaneng Galaxy and Orapa United - will have to dig deep again this week as their assaults on Africa reach boiling point.
Attempting to reach the second round of the CAF Champions League for the second year running, Galaxy take a commanding two-goal advantage into Friday’s away leg against Central African Republic side, DFC 8eme Arrondissement.
On home soil at the National Stadium last Saturday, after an even first half, despite not having a coach on the bench, the local lads showed their superiority in the second 45.
In the end, it was the international pairing of Lucky Mokoena and Wendell Rudath who proved the difference on their Galaxy debuts.
On as a half time sub, it took the South African summer signing, Mokoena, less than 20 minutes to open his account with his new club, breaking the deadlock in the 64th minute. With the clock running down, Rudath, another debutant, popped up with an all-important second just three minutes from time.
The Namibian’s late strike gives Galaxy a comfortable cushion against a DFC8 outfit that looked organised at the back but offered little going forward.
Due to the on-going civil war and political unrest in the Central African Republic, Friday’s return fixture will be played in Douala, Cameroon.
The historic costal city, located in the southwest of Cameroon, is the country’s economic capital, which is fitting considering the huge financial reward that awaits successful teams in the Champions League.
The squad departed for West Africa in understandably high spirits on Tuesday, knowing an away goal will all but secure their progress to the next round. Should Galaxy score, it will mean DFC8 have to find the back of the net at least four times to knock them out.
In a brief interview with Voice Sport before jetting off for Cameroon, Galaxy skipper, Thabo Leinanyane, said the team are confident they will finish the job.
“Mood is high in the camp, no one is emotionally drained. We have a team made up mostly of new players who are playing at Champions League level for the first time. Whereas those who have been with the club for a long time, such as myself, can help with the hype as we know how much this match means to the fans,” stressed the longlegged 28-year-old defender.
The club captain was quick to state that while they are bursting with belief, they will not make the mistake of un
derestimating their their opponents.
“Football on its own is scary but confidence makes players. For us, we have a positive image, so we are approaching this match totally different, as a fresh start. I can’t say we will be defensive of offensive, but we just want to avoid conceding any goal,” declared Leinanyane, unwittingly contradicting himself!
Should Galaxy advance, and all the evidence from the first leg suggests they will, they will meet formidale Tanzanian team, Simba FC, next month, with a place in the group stages awaiting the winner.
For Orapa United, however, the equation is slightly trickier.
The Ostriches take on Gabon’s AS Mangasports with the CAF Confederations Cup tie balanced on a knife edge following a goalless first meeting in Libreville on Sunday.
Broadcast live on Btv, Saturday’s 4pm ‘home’ leg will be played at the National Stadium, some 700km south of the Boys from Boteti’s Itekeng base.
With all to play for and Cameroon’s Cotton Sport FC waiting in the wings, Orapa Technical Director, Phillimon Makhwengwe admitted his team have it all to do and will need to be at their best if they are to progress.
“We are confident, as they are, that we will go through. This gives us the strength and
might to fight to the bitter end. The fact that we drew away does not give us any bigger advantage over them. It will be a new ball game. We are home and do not want to be elimanted early as has been the case in the past, “was Makhwengwe’s assessment of proceedings.
Having failed to reach the second round on their three previous continental outings, the Ostriches will be desperate to avoid a fourth dose of disappointment.
However, they will have to mix attack with caution as a goal for the Gabonese visitors could prove disastrous and would leave the home side needing to strike at least twice.
“We are going to be playing a possession system, cautiously seeking avenues to hurt them. They saw us and we studied them; they know they faded away and cramped in their own weather conditions,” continued the vastly experienced tactician.
Although supporters will not be allowed in the ground - an undoubted blow to the Oranges who can normally rely on their small but boisterous fan base to create a roaring atmosphere - Makhwengwe called for the nation to ‘rally behind’ his troops.
“We play a very tricky opponent who is beatable and we shall come out with guns blazing,” promised the footy veteran, unable to mask his excitement at the prospect of looming battle after so long without football.