08 Jul 2014

South Africa defeated Botswana 4-0 in an Under-17 friendly match played at Molepolole Sports Complex on Sunday, July 6.

Amajimbos, dominated the first half and it wasn’t surprising when they took the lead in the 36th minute through defender Thendo Mukumela’s long range shot. 

Team captain, Nelson Maluleka then doubled the lead six minutes later. The visitors were leading 2-0 at recess following a series of attacks that destabilized the Botswana defence.

When the second half resumed Amajimbos continued where they left off. They played with pace and were rewarded with a goal from speedy Sibongakonke Mbatha on the 56th minute. 

Then midfielder Maluleka converted a penalty that sealed their victory within three minutes. Botswana’s substitute goalkeeper Thuso Oodira never even saw it as he went wrong way. 

The hosts created numerous chances throughout the game but failed to convert any.

In an interview after the game, Botswana Under-17 Coach Odirile Matlhaku said he was happy with his team’s performance despite their two successive loses to Amajimbos. 

He said the two games were the first international games for his boys as they prepared to face Zambia adding the games were played ‘mainly for exposure’.

Coach Matlhaku said there were a lot of areas that they needed to improve on to make the team play better. 

He said as the technical staff they were working on improving the team’s technique then, their tactical awareness as almost all players didn’t go to schools of excellence.

He said they approached the game with the idea of letting the boys play to keeping possession of the ball and told the boys that a win would only come if they kept the ball.

“When preparing them for a game we tell them that our priority is to keep the ball. 

A win will come as a second priority only if they try and keep the ball but they cannot win if they lose the ball most of the time,” said Matlhaku 

It was important, he said, that after the game they tailored their training to building team confidence and enhancing players’ ability to keep possession of the ball. 

This was the second match between the two teams. 

It was played in preparations for African Youth Championships in which Botswana will face Zambia while South Africa will face Tanzania. In the first friendly match Botswana lost to the visitors by two goals to nil.

Matlhaku said his charges would be ready to play away in Zambia as they play the country’s Under-17 team in a second round of qualifiers for the 2015 African Youth Championship. 

The first leg matches are scheduled for July 18-20 with the second leg scheduled for August 1-3. ENDS