06 Jun 2019

Botswana senior national football team, Zebras will face Chipolopolo of Zambia in the COSAFA Cup final to be played at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa June 8.

Zebras marched to the finals after beating Lesotho 2-1 courtesy of Joel Mogorosi and Segolame Boy goals in the first stanza of the game.

The last time Zebras played in the COSAFA Cup final was in 2016 and lost to South Africa.

Botswana has never lifted the COSAFA Cup trophy but only won a silver medal in 2016 and bronze in 1999 and 2002.

Chipolopolo on the other hand have a very impressive record in the tournament as it has won it in 1997, 1998, 2006 and 2013. They also won silver six times and two bronze medals in 2003 and 2008.

The Saturday encounter will be a different ball game as the Zebras are hungry for more, if their performances against Bafana Bafana and Lesotho are anything to go by.

Captain Joel Mogorosi, who is more determined than ever, said in an interview the mood in camp was very was high as players know the importance of the game.

He has encouraged his teammates to play their normal game against Chipolopolo.

“I told them to take it easy and there is no how we can go to the final stage and say we don’t want to win the game. We will give our best shot,” he said.

Furthermore, Mogorosi said he was aware that Batswana were rooting for the team to lift the trophy.

“I also told them that the more we win, the more pressure mounts. So it’s good that the lads have to learn how to do it slowly and I am happy they are growing mentally,” he said.

Zebra’s coach, Mogomotsi Mpote said the Zebras would not play a defensive mode but they would go all out and attack.

He said Zambia was a physical side adding that their mission was to keep the momentum adding that the players’ spirit was high, which could help them win the game.

“We had prepared well for the tournament, and as a coach you don’t prepare to lose.However we will respect any outcome on Saturday,” he said. ENDS