27 Jul 2014

The senior national football team lost 1-0 to league one English side Bristol City at the National stadium on July 24.

Galabgwe Moyana’s handball in the dying minutes of the second half gave The Robins’ Jay Emmanuel Thomas a chance to convert the goal from a free kick spot.

Zebras head coach, Peter ‘PJ’ Butler’s team failed to repeat the fluency and brilliance of their 2-0 win against Guinea Bissau recently. It was the first time in three games in which the Zebras failed to find the back of the net.

Throughout the early minutes of the first half both teams were not able to launch any threatening attacks upfront. Zebras, however, won a set piece just outside the box midway through the first half but Otlantshekela Mooketsi put the shot wide.

Bristol City then nearly came to the party when Luke Freeman crossed the ball into the box but Aden Flint headed wide.

The Zebras then got their real chance of scoring at the interval when Ofentse Nato’s shot was saved twice by the Bristol City goalkeeper. On the half hour mark, Jackie Motlhatlego’s long range attempt at goal only went over the goal posts.

Both teams were not showing any hunger to take the lead. The game went to half time with a goalless deadlock.

From the break, Butler brought in Moyana in place of Motlhatlego and Edwin Olerile came in for the injured Mooketsi. The introduction of Moyana changed the complexion of the game and the team was then able to produce moves upfront.

At the hour mark the teams were still stuck on deadlock and neither side showed any sign of breaking the ice.

Everything changed when Bristol City brought Thomas into the match. The young man’s presence was felt by the Zebras defence and he almost scored through a header but Zebras goalkeeper Mwampule Masule saved the day.

When it looked like the game was going to end in a draw, Moyana handled the ball in the box and a penalty was awarded by the referee. Substitute, Thomas did not waste any chance and scored the match deciding goal from a penalty spot.

Zebras’ hopes were brought up when Bristol City conceded a foul just outside the box. Moyana was given a chance to redeem his earlier mistake but his shot hit the wall and was cleared out.

In a post-match interview, Butler said the game was just a development game which was meant to give the young players exposure. “I chose a totally different team from the last game and I did use the game as opportunity for the players to get game time” he said.

He emphasised that the game was not used as a shape up or preparation for the next game but rather it was a development match for the Zebras young players. He said they would start training again during the weekend (July 26-27) and the following week they would start building up to the Guinea Bissau game. ENDS