11 Jul 2016

Marang junior school triumphed over Ntebogang to be crowned COPA Coca cola 2016 Under 15 champions in front of a packed Lekidi ground in the Botswana Integrated Sports Association (BISA) in Gaborone recently. 

While Marang made sure the Under 15 trophy stayed in Gaborone, Etsha defied the odds to also emerge as the under 17 COPA coca cola under 17 overturning a first half 2-nil lead set by Mookane junior school.

On first place, Under 15 Marang won gold with Ntebogang coming second and Mmei junior school from Francistown came third, while the Under 17 boys Etsha came first with Maokane on second and Orapa junior school secured bronze medal.

Based in the performance displayed on the pitch, clearly the future of football with these young boys is well placed. A pure class of football skills was a marvel to watch as young aspiring footballers having a go at each other.

Spectators attending the Copa Coca Cola were dished out to a classy two matches between the four finalists.

First game featured Etsha against Mookane. The former pulled all the stops to change the score-line into their favour after suffering an early scare after conceding two goals in the first half.

Mookane drew first blood startling Etsha while trying to settle in the game. Etsha boys seemed to struggle to answer to attacks launched by the opponents.

However, things took a different twist in the second half, when Etsha turned a different side. Resorting to a different plan, they changed to power play asking a lot of running out of Mookane to commit to.

Etsha starlet donning jersey 3; 14 year old Twampha Chombo playing on the left wing stunned the leaders with a brace to equal the goals. Etsha kept on searching for a winning goal, and their efforts were eventually paid off from a free kick. Unmarked Jily Dimbo hammerd a final nail with a header. All that was left was for Etsha to celebrate for their victory.

Despite Ntebogang’s loss in the Under 15 draw, Coach Ditiro Motshegere’s boys proved to be a handful against a much physic side of Marang. A pintsized skillful midfielder Lame Mathe chipped the ball over the keeper to score their first goal.

Marang kept their composure, setting pace in the mid of the park. One kid in mid by the name Kagiso Disang terrorised the defence of Ntebogang, from the side lines he was cheered as he won himself a pack admirers.

It was not a surprise before Botshelo Ledibogo scored an equaliser. From recess Marang kept attacking with Disang entertaining fans with skillful football tricks. Disang, a marvel to watch did not take long before he scored for his side a long range to take the lead.

Marang dealt big blow moments later in the game when their starlet Disang dislocated an elbow.

However, they were able to keep the score till the end of the game. Coach Kealeboga Shonja said his side was impressive in the game though one of his players picked a terrible injury.

“I came to this tournament well prepared for anything; we have not lost any game prior to these finals. This is due to an intensive team selection we conducted,” he said.

For his part, Motshegere was all praises for both his boys and that of the opponents. He said the game was a very tactical one considering that the boys were only under 15 years.

He also said he is impressed because with such performance it is obvious that football in Botswana is developing well and in the right way.

Regarding the game, he said the game would have gone either way considering that they had equal chances but squandered them. He also appreciated that Marang had a better quality in terms of individual brilliant players hence they had a bit of edge over side.

Meanwhile, still at Lekedi grounds, Chichi junior school Under 17 girls had a football lecture possibly of a lifetime as they lost to 13 goals deficit against a talented side of Radisile Junior School in the COPA Coca cola Under 17 BISA games finals. 

A rampage Radisele side, came from a goal behind to net 12 great goals and a last minute own goal gift from Chichi girls won themselves gold medal and crowned 2016 under 17 Copa Coca cola champions. Chichi only managed to retaliate with only 2 consolation goals.ENDS