| Goals | Goals |
|---|---|
| 11. Dipsy Selolwane (23’) | 9. Sadio Diallo (15’) |
| 9. Sadio Diallo (27’) | |
| 7. Abdoul Camara (42’) | |
| 8. Ibrahima Traoré (45 + 4’) | |
| 4. Mamadou Bah (84’) | |
| 14. Naby Soumah (86’) |
Size matters insist Botswana
Botswana striker Jerome Ramatlhakwana vs Ghana
“My major concern is that my players are short and slim,” Tshosane said ahead of his team’s next Group D game against Guinea on Saturday in Franceville.
“We lost the battle when the game became a lot more physical against the bigger Ghana on Tuesday.
“We therefore have to come up with a strategy that will ensure we can compete physically with Guinea in this very important match.”
He said he would have wished to line up a player like striker Pontsho Moloi but for his slight physique.
Botswana’s most experienced player Diphetogo Selolwane aka Dipsy has equally expressed his worries about the bigger Guineans.
“We played Guinea before home and away and they beat us, they are good footballers they play good football and they play a different style from Ghana,” said the Supersport United star, who will feature after serving out a one-match ban for bagging two bookings during the qualifiers.
“They play real African football, where you are very aggressive and they use their big bodies.”
‘Dipsy’ is likely to take the place of Moemedi Moatlaping in the starting XI.
The Zebras put up a brave fight against Ghana but Tshosane said they have to win on Saturday if they are to stay on course to go past the group stages on their debut appearance at the AFCON.
“We don’t need a draw, otherwise we might as well pack our bags and return home. But we still have the ambition of remaining here and so we must work hard,” he declared.
“On Saturday, it will be do or die.”
Tshosane admitted the loss of two top stars, winger Joel Mongorosi and Dipsy, adversely affected his team because they were not mentally prepared for big losses.
Guinea are also under pressure to win particularly after a good performance against West African rivals Mali in their opening group match.
However, they would need to improve on their finishing, which was not up to scratch on Tuesday, if they are to break down the great wall of defence Botswana are most likely to put up against them.
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