Zebras bubbling at Royal Aria
The Zebras are currently holding their training sessions at the recently opened Royal Aria stadium facility located in Tlokweng Village. Coach Adel Amrouche’s troops are currently on camp ahead of their 2021 Afcon qualifier against the formidable Chipolopolo of Zambia.
In an interview this week, Botswana Football Association ( BFA) spokesperson, Tumo Mpatane said the Zebras who are currently placed in a bio bubble are training away from their usual home at Lekidi because the place has been crowded as it recently housed the Women senior national team who are currently on a COSAFA Cup assignment in South Africa. “The team has organised a bio bubble and they are currently not interacting with anyone from outside including the national women’s team, the under 17 national team and the under 20 squad. This is the reason they are training behind closed doors.
We do not want to risk the lives of our players with regard to COVID - 19,” Mpatane said this week.
Mpatane further explained that they have opted to use the Grand Aria facility because it was offered at a price way below market rate, adding that the owners of the facility have been both generous and patriotic. “We wanted a pitch that is a lot closer to resembling the venue we will be playing at against Zambia. We could not use the national stadium because the Botswana Athletics Association has been training there for a while.”
Thus far, Mpatane said the Zebras have been training at the lavish Tlokweng facility for over four days. After the first leg in Zambia the Zebras will be expected to host their rivals at the Obed Itai Chilume Stadium in Francistown where the game is expected to be broadcast live on BTV.” It is an open secret that spectators will not be allowed at the stadium because of COVID- 19 protocols.”
Meanwhile, Mpatane said the Zebras are currently in good spirits and no injuries have been reported ahead of their Afcon qualifier. “I would like to encourage Batswana to desist from taunting the Zebras ahead of this important game. Some of the comments made in online platforms are inappropriate and this is not good for the team morale. The Zebras are our team and we should take ownership of the national team.”