Botswana soccer team coach Adel Amrouche is eager to resume business as usual once government regulations allow, in the fight against the novel coronavirus.
Botswana, to date, has done exceptionally well in its fight against Covid-19 with just 25 cases reported in the country as of Monday. There has been one death, and 17 recoveries. Botswana reported its first case of Covid-19 on March 30.
Amrouche said his primary mandate as the national team coach was to remind his players of the task ahead after the lockdown in Botswana is lifted.
He is eager to redeem the chances of the Zebras in qualifying for regional and continental competitions respectively. The last time Zebras qualified for a continental showpiece was their maiden Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon in 2012.
As Botswana moves towards the return of football and other sporting activities, Amrouche has instructed his players to resume training at their respective homes.
From Monday the Botswana government gave the green light to individual and non-contact sports, and for the reopening of gym facilities.
“I want to take time to speak to my players to resume training because we have an objective, the 2021 Afcon qualification,” Amrouche said. “And this message is for both local and international-based players. I am sure that with obligation and determination, we can achieve our aim.
“There will be no excuse about coronavirus, they must find space in their homesteads, they must act professionally to achieve our mandate and importantly keep health guidelines in check.”
For his part, Zebras captain and SuperSport United defender Thatayaone Ditlhokwe said as professionals it will be helpful to study training programs that enable each player to train individually.
He said even under the stressful circumstances the world finds itself in when football returns there will be no excuses for players not to deliver.
“Although there is no motivation when training alone, we must focus on the goal we want to achieve,” he said. “We must have training programs to keep us going.
“As the captain, I believe this generation of players has the abilities to achieve set goals by the football association. So I assure you all the players shall get back to normal.”
In partnership with ANA and Sports Leo
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