23 Jun 2016

Saturday (June 25) evening  activity will grind to a halt as the nation holds its collective breath in support of the national football team, Zebras who are a heartbeat away from being crowned Southern African champions. The Zebras face South Africa in the Council of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) Cup final at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek at 6:30pm. 

Botswana, just under a hundred days from celebrating 50 years of independence, has had its fair share of on and off the pitch problems with its national sport. But, on a good day, nothing unites the nation and leads to an expression of national pride as much as the Zebras.

Partisan political or club football differences will be set aside as the country collectively cheers Peter Butler’s squad to glory. The Zebras qualified for the final after eliminating the defending championss and hosts Namibia in last Saturday’s quarter final, as well as African Nations Championship (CHAN) champions, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Wednesday night’s semi-final.

Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba’s Bafana Bafana is made up of mostly young players who have given a good account of themselves, defeating Lesotho in a penalty shootout quarterfinal win, before claiming Swaziland’s scalp in an impressive 5-1 semi-final rout. Without the likes of Segolame Boy, Mogakolodi ‘Tsotso’ Ngele, Galagbwe Moyana and Ofentse Nato, the Zebras are also not at full strength.

But, the team Butler has selected have gone out and done a decent job. The Zebras will want to make a positive impression against a plucky South African team. In the semi-final, the Zebras displayed discipline in defence, playing a compact game of closing down spaces their opponents could exploit, while being positive when in possession, able to display fluid passes going forward.

Forwards Onkabetse Makgatai and Omatla Kebatho can prove to be a handful when in attack, with Lemponye Tshireletso and Thabang Sesinyi able to create from the wings. Mwampule Masule has been impressive in goal for the Zebras, with Boitumelo Mafoko and Mosha Gaolaolwe ably marshaling the defence. Lebogang Ditsele, impressive against the DRC, will need to be at his best to control the tempo of the game from midfield.

While South Africa is chasing a fourth COSAFA title, this is Botswana’s first ever final, with previous winners being Zambia and Zimbabwe (four times each), South Africa and Angola (three times each) and Namibia (once). Tomorrow is the chance for the Zebras to make their mark and send Batswana into dreamland. ENDS