03 Jun 2019

The Senior national football team, Zebras, will face Likoena of Lesotho in a COSAFA semifinal clash at South Africa’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on June 5 .

The Zebras sailed though after defeating Bafana Bafana of South Africa 5-4 on penalties.

The score at full time was 2-2.

Zebras’ goals were scored by Lebogang Ditsele and Thatayaone Ditlhokwe.

Botswana Football Association (BFA) spokesperson, Tumo Mpatane, said in an interview that the players were focused on the coming fixture.

He said they were cognizant of the fact that Lesotho was a stubborn side that played defensive football, adding that the technical team had studied opponets way of play.

“Lesotho play ‘bus’ football, but look we introduced the bus in the continent in 2012 and we are not afraid to say we are going to take the game to them,” he said.

Furthermore, Mpatane said the players were determined to redeem the Zebras’ name, adding that captain Joel Mogorosi had a pep talk with the players after the game, telling them to be brave.

“Mogorosi has asked the players to dream of the final, but the only way is to beat Lesotho. The boys want this, they want to create a piece of history,” he said.

He said the players would be confident going to the Lesotho game and they were going to fight, adding the group was fortunate to have a leader and legend like Mogorosi as part of the team.   “We are going to come hard on Lesotho and we are playing so much of an entertaining game and our team plays with confidence,” he said.

Mogorosi said they would take every game as it comes, adding that he motivated his team-mates to believe in themselves and to represent the country with gusto and pride. He said they were ready for Likoena, adding that the Zebras would not take it easy just because they had beaten Bafana Bafana.

 He said the next game would be more difficult given that Lesotho were not in the semis by fluke. Should Zebras win against Lesotho, they will play in the COSAFA final against the winner between Zimbabwe and Zambia. ENDS