26 Mar 2023

Botswana lost 0-2 to Equatorial Guinea in an AFCON qualifier in Malabo on Friday.

The hosts scored through Saulo Basilo Coco-Bassey Oubina in the first half while Federico Bikoro Akieme Nchama netted the insurance goal in the second half.

 Zebras defender, Thato Kebue, received a red card in the 53rd minute for a second bookable offence.

Botswana is languishing at the bottom of Group J with one point, but still has a chance to redeem its pride at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium on Tuesday in the return leg against Equatorial Guinea.

Zebras coach, Teenage Mpote, said he was still hopeful that they would qualify provided they win all their remaining games.

“We have to show our intension against Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday,” he said.

Mpote noted that Equatorial Guinea were still going to play against Libya away while Botswana would host Tunisia.

The coach said they still had the dream of making it to the AFCON finals.

Mpote blamed match officials for giving soft free kicks to their opponents, saying they dived and simulated, adding that Kebue’s first yellow was unwarranted.

He, however, also acknowledged that they did not execute their game plan properly. He said their full backs were tight on the wingers, but that when the ball was played on the right the left back was expected to cover the central area.  ENDS