Reigning Chibuku Super Cup champions Dynamos will be looking to put one foot in the lucrative Caf Confederation Cup group stages when they take on Botswana side Orapa United at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown this afternoon.
The match kicks off at 4pm.
It will be familiar territory for the Glamour Boys, who found a home in Gaborone in the first preliminary match against Zambian side ZESCO United where they won 1-0 on aggregate.
Dynamos are playing in the second tier continental club competition for the first time since 2012 when they were knocked out by Angolan side Interclube.
The target has always been to reach the group stage of the competition and Orapa United stands between the country’s representative and the Promised Land.
The Lloyd-Chigowe coached side have the advantage that they have an active domestic league while the Ostriches are yet to begin their league campaign in Botswana.
Chigowe was confident that the team would overcome last week’s disappointing 0 – 0 draw at TelOne FC ahead of the crucial tie.
“We had said that this game (TleOne) was not on for us so there are a lot of other factors because these guys were playing looking at the Francistown game (against Orapa United). They had to make sure that they did not pick any injuries and could not commit themselves fully into tussles. At the end of the day we were forced to play on a Sunday and not on a Tuesday so that we have enough recovery time because the main focus for us is to try to fight for (group stage) qualification,” he said following the TelOne tie.
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Dynamos captain Frank Makarati said the team was fully focused on beating Orapa United in its own backyard
“We as the players, have to move on from this (TelOne) disappointment and look up to the next two competitive games that we are going to play in Botswana. "The pressure is now on, so hopefully we will rectify all the mistakes we made so that we can go to Botswana well prepared for a win,” he said.
Orapa United, who have much more experience in this competition than Dynamos, beat Foresters from Seychelles 3-1 on aggregate thanks to a 2-0 win at home after they managed a one-all draw away.
The Ostriches competed in the Caf Confederation Cup in 2021, 2020, 2018 and 2017 but have failed to make it to the group stages of the competition.
In a bid to boost morale ahead of the big clash, the club’s board chairman Tidimalo Tito and chair of chairs Letlhogonolo Kennekae met and addressed players and technical staff yesterday.
"I am here to assure you of our unwavering support, just as we have shown before. We believe in you as a team," Tito said
Echoing Tito's sentiments, Kennekae emphasised the significance of reaching the group stages of this prestigious tournament.
"We are now representing the nation. Let's put a smile on the faces of the people of Boteti region and Batswana at large through Orapa United's performance," he said.
Team captain Lesenya Malapela said the team was ready to give its best against Dynamos today.
