Friday, February 7, 2025

Amrouche tactics questioned in the wake of Zebras’ Afcon failure

Zebras’ gaffer Adel Amrouche has been criticized for travelling with a defensive team to Algeria in their last 2020 Afcon qualifier match. 

The team travelled with 17 defensive players and seven attackers. 

While the Zebras have nothing much to lose after failing to make a second appearance at the African football extravaganza following a one nil loss to neighbours Zimbabwe a week ago, it was expected that Amrouche will redeem Afcon failure with an attack minded side.

Since the arrival of Amrouche two years ago, winger Tlhalefo Molebatsi was dropped from the travelling team with only two options Kobamelo Kebaikanye and Thero Setsile as the only natural wingers remaining in the team. 

Surprisingly, the 24-man squad was made up of four goalkeepers and two strikers. The goal poachers included Thatayaone Kgamanyane and Onkabetse Makgantai while the shot stoppers were Kabelo Dambe, Ezekiel Morake, Goitseone Phoko and Lesenya Malapela.

With majority of the team being 10 defenders for the encounter, local football pundits were surprised to witness unfamiliar roles for players in the past match against warriors of Zimbabwe. 

Jwaneng Galaxy winger played the match as a midfielder while Orapa United defensive midfielder Gape Gaogangwe played a wing back position in the presence of natural full back Tshepo Maikano. 

With the tactics failing on the day, the Belgian tactician substituted Molebatsi for Tapiwa Gadibolae who then switched to wing back paving way for Setsile to his winger role and Gaogagwe to the midfield position.

Meanwhile, Amrouche’s contract is expected to end before the end of 2021 with rumors suggesting that the gaffer’s contract will not be extended. 

It was alleged that part of the contract deliverables was for the no nonsense coach to qualify the team to the Afcon finals next year.

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