30 Mar 2015

The senior national football team’s inherent lapse in the dying minutes of play saw the team lose 1-2 to Mozambique in Lobatse on Sunday.

Coach Peter Butler’s charges were the first to draw blood through Ofentse Nato’s header in the opening minutes of the game but could not protect the goal for long.  The visitors equalised through a header after the Zebras defence failed to deal with a seemingly harmless corner kick that found Luis Miquissone unmarked in the box.

Although they also missed goal scoring opportunities that should have separated them from the visitors, the Zebras had by and large done everything they could do.  They also shed off their traditional defensive style of play. Instead of sitting back after scoring the goal as usual, the Zebras launched several offensives. 

Omaatla Kebatho’s breathtaking performance could be a sign of good things for the youthful Zebras Although he missed some clear cut chances, Kebatho showed signs of a goal poacher who would sharpen the team’ s strike force with time.

But the tactically alert Mozambican team, also known as the Mambas, capitalised on the Zebras’ Achilles’ heel through substitute Remildo Mandava on the final minute of the match to deny the homeside a draw that had until that moment, appeared inevitable. 

The team always appeared deadly on attacks launched by veteran Elias Pelembe but often lacked the venom to finish the off their prey. Both teams were using the game to prepare for the COSAFA tournament tbilled for South Africa this May.

The Mambas coach, Joao Antonio Chissano, applauded the Zebras coach for introducing a new and youthful team.  He said the move was a clear statement to other teams.

Zebras assistant coach, Pio Paul, said they had only two days to put the team together. Had they buried the chances they had, he said his boys could have won the game. BOPA