22 May 2016

The senior national football team, Zebras, walloped Dikoena of Lesotho 2-1 in an international friendly in Serowe on May 21

The Zebras used the  match to warm up before the AFCON qualifier aganist Uganda early next month.

Lesotho scored in the first half through Basia Makepe, while the Zebras came from behind in the second half through substitute Onkabetse Makgantai.

The match kicked off in a low tempo with the Zebras looking more confident. They made good passes, but did not put much effort in their attacks. 

Hardly 10 minutes into the first half, the visitors managed to slot in an easy goal that caught Zebras defence and goal keeper Kabelo Dambe of guard. 

Captain Basia Makepe scored through a soft header after receiving a ball from the left flank.

The goal made Zebras pick up the tempo in a move to force an equaliser, but the boys from the mountain maintained their stand and denied the Zebras an equaliser. 

Dikoena continued to mount pressure on the hosts penetrating the Zebras defence from the right flank with Thabo Seakhoa managing to run the ball down the flank and making good crosses into Dambe’s area but was let down by teammates.

The Zebras gave Lesotho’s goal keeper, Litebohe Mokhehle, a torrid second half but he managed to deny them several golden opportunities.

 After about 15 minutes into the second half, Zebras coach Peter Butler made a change introducing Makgantai and for Segolame Boy. 

Makgantai immediately elevated tempo of the game with his fast pace and confidence on the ball. 

Nearly five minutes into the game the youngster equalised through a volley after receiving a high ball from the right flank.

Makgantai’s second goal came in minutes later during a scramble for the ball inside the Lesotho’s goal keeper’s area.

He got hold of the ball and easily tapped it in to make 2-1. The Serowe Sports Complex, which was full to capacity, went up in into wild celebrations. 

In an interview, Lesotho coach, Moses Moliehe, acknowledged the defeat and commended Zebras for the good play. He said Botswana was not an easy side to beat. 

He said his team was made up of mostly young players and he was using them to give them experience. Despite the loss, he said he was happy with his boys’ play.

For his part, coach Peter Butler of Botswana said his team gave Lesotho an easy goal in the first half due to a mistake by the defence and goal keeper.

He said the team was rusty, but the friendly helped them to polish their game. 

Furthermore, Butler said they needed to sharpen themselves through more practice games such as the Lesotho friendly.

He said the game against Lesotho had no relevance towards the Zebras game against Uganda, but his team needed the game to put his team back into the competitive mood. 

Butler said the Lesotho side displayed good football and gave the Zebras a good game. ENDS