09 Jun 2019

Despite a gallant display in the COSAFA Cup final on June 8 in Durban, South Africa the Botswana senior men’s national football team succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to a Zambian side being crowned Southern African champions for the fifth time.

A Tapson Kaseba goal 13 minutes to the end, gave Chipolopolo the victory on a rainy afternoon at Moses Mabhida Stadium depriving the Zebras their first taste of the regional championship.

The heartbreak notwithstanding, caretaker coach Mogomotsi ‘Teenage’ Mpote will take comfort in yet another fluid performance from a Zebras team steadily growing in confidence when possesing the ball.

The Zebras justified pre-match expectations as they worked the ball well from early on with patient build up play from the back through the middle of the park.

Mothusi Cooper was able to test Zambian goalkeeper, Sebastian Mwange with a long range strike as early as the third minute.

Zambia forward Lazarous Kambole nearly profited from a Zebras defensive lapse in the 11th minute, but his attempted lob went wide off Ezekiel Morake’s goal.

In the 24th minute, Mwange was on hand to make a double save off Thero Setsile and Mothusi Johnson attempts as the Zebras stepped up the attack.

Ten minutes later the Zambian defence had to be alert to cut out a ball played deep into the box by Joel Mogorosi, with Thero Setsile lurking menacingly in the danger zone.

Moments thereafter, Setsile shot just wide of the Zambian goal.

The first half ended goalless and the second half started with the two teams playing at a higher tempo.

A 63rd minute free kick just outside the Zambian 18-yard box was cleverly played by the Zebras as Setsile decieved the Zambian rearguard with a run just before Segolame Boy took the set piece fisted away by Mwange for a corner kick.

Mpote then brought on Gilbert Baruti for Norman Mabaya looking for better delivery in the attacking end of the pitch.

In the 72nd minute, after a good interchange with Boy, Setsile tore into the left wing but, with Mogorosi making a good run deep into the danger zone and Zambia looking vulnerable, Setsile picked the wrong option of cutting the ball back into the path of the retreating Zambian rearguard. Six minutes later, it was joy for Zambia, heartbreak for Botswana

A ball played into the box located Kaseba who scored from close range in the 77th minute to put the Zambians into the one goal ascendancy.

Jackson Chirwa nearly added a second for Chipolopolo with a half volley that shaved the woodwork before going over.

Mpote then threw everything into attack; sacrificing midfield dynamo Cooper, bringing on striker Tumisang ‘Teenage’ Orebonye.

But it was too little, too late as Zambia won the match 1-0 to win the 2019 COSAFA Cup. ENDS