29 Sep 2017

The senior football national team will tomorrow (September 30) host their Ethiopian counterparts as part of the independence day festivities.

The Zebras will make a return to the national stadium for the first time since 2016 following a lengthy spell at the Francistown stadium where they enjoyed capacity crowd support that was backed with five star performance.

 The Zebras fame has in recent months been on a downward spiral with  other sports codes like athletics and netball taking centre stage hence the Ethiopia fixture might be redemption time for the limping Zebras as the team has even dropped six positions down to number 146 on the FIFA ranking.

 The reunion of the Zebras with their gaffer Major David Bright has not been a ceremonial one as lady luck seems to have deserted the national team as the  team is yet to taste victory under the leadership of Major Bright.  

Having played  and lost two games against South Africa in the CHAN tournament  and recently losing to Tanzania on a friendly under Major Bright, the Zebras will be hoping to regain their stripes and register their first win against a resilient Ethiopian team  which has proved to be a force to reckon with in the continental football spheres. 

The nation’s pride will surely be resting on Major Bright’s troops as he is expected to change the fortunes of the national team after last wining on the same fixture last year(2016) , which tells a story that the zebras  clearly need a win to restore a sense of pride especially on Botswana day.

Usually when the Zebras and the “Walias” as the Ethiopian national team is affectionately known meet, it is the grass that suffers the most as there is little separating them even on the FIFA ranking.  

If the rankings are however  anything to go by, the Ethiopian might be slight favorites as they are ranked 144, two steps ahead of  the Zebras.

It  however remains to be seen if the Zebras will use the home ground advantage to the their use or the Walias will cause an upset and spoil the party.

Major Bright has however named a 25 man formidable squad to face Ethiopia which consists of the tried and tested season campaigners amongst them the ever reliable and one of the most capped right backs Tshepo Motlhabankwe.

The team also include Anthony Gous, Kabelo Dambe, Mwampole Masule in the goal keeping department while defenders are Thabang Mosigi, Lesenya Ramoraka, Tapiwa Gadibolae, Mosha Gaolaolwe,Simisane Mathumo and Edwin Olerile.  

The midfiled combination will be within Keagile Kobe,Alphonse Modisaotsile, Kabelo Seakanyeng ,Gilbert Baruti, Thero Setsile, Gift Moyo, Katlego Masole, Maano Ditshupo, Lemponye Tshireletso, and Segolame Boy.

Onkabetse Makgantai is expected to lead the striking force and it remains to be seem who will partner him upfront between Pako Moloi,Tumisang Orebonye, Hendrick Moyo and Jerome Ramatlhakwana.

Entrance to this game will be free of charge, and kick off is at 4pm. ENDS