12 Jun 2025

The senior national football team, the Zebras has bowed out of HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Cup 2025, after playing to a three all draw against Zambia in a Group D clash played at Dr Pretrus Molemela Stadium, in Mangaung, Bloemfontein yesterday.

Out of the seven times the teams have been pitted against each other in the COSAFA tournament, Zebras is yet to defeat Chipolopolo with the local side having managed to hold the Zambians to a draw twice, losing five. Zebras was the first to draw blood in the early stages of the Wednesday encounter as Ronaldo Fortune unleashed a clean pass that was well utilised by Thatayaone Kgamanyane to put the team ahead of its opponents.

In the 27^th minute, Zebras was awarded a penalty after Zambia’s Fred Mwiche fouled Fortune inside the box. Serati Semadi punished the opponent  to increase the score line to 2-0. Lady luck was on the Zambian side as they were awarded a penalty following a Video Assistant Referee check, minutes before the whistle went off to signal a break, with Charles Zulu reducing the margin to 2-1.

It seemed Chipolopolo gained momentum from the goal pilling pressure on Zebras evidenced by a goal attempt a minute before the break, fortunately Zebras goalkeeper, Thabo Motswagole made a brilliant save, thwarting Mwiche’s efforts. The game recessed with the Zebras leading 2-1, only for Chipolopolo to come back more determined to level the score.

Zambia’s hard work paid off in the 51^st minute after they were awarded a corner kick, that was well taken by Zulu and Tinklar Sankala who put it to good use. Immediately after the goal, the Zebras had a good opportunity to score but Kgamanyane was denied the chance by Chipolopolo’s goalkeeper, Charles Kalumba.

A corner kick in favour of the Zebras in the 59^th minute created a chance for Mothusi Johnson to make it easy for Thabo Maponda to net it and increase the Zebras score to 3-2. Botswana suffered a setback in the 88^th minute after Chipolopolo was awarded a penalty, which was easily converted by Joseph Phiri to make it three all draw. The Zebras youthful squad played as a unit compared to their first game against Comoros which ended with a goalless draw.

Some football pundits are optimistic that the youthful Zebras squad was the future of Botswana football  ahead of the  AFCON finals slated for Morocco in December adding that head coach, Morena Ramoreboli would be spoilt for choice. ENDS