Zebras enter difficult phase

The national men’s soccer team, the Zebras’ dream of qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final is hanging by a thread after the team drew 1-1 against Mauritania at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown on Friday. With the Zebra’s looking to secure their qualifications for the prestigious tournament for the second time in history, their fate now depends on the national team drawing or winning against Egypt on the November 19th in Egypt. 

Fingers are crossed that Cape Verde will not win against Egypt. 

Currently the log standings of group C have the mighty Egyptian team leading with 12 points and the Zebras coming in second with seven points. To qualify Zebras will have to beat Egypt in Cairo or hope that Cape Verde lose to Egypt and then draw with Mauritania. 

In the match against Mauritania on Friday, the Zebras started off slowly which resulted in the team conceding an early goal from a set piece – a thunderbolt struck by jersey number 7, Abubakaray Koita who was proved to be a headache on the field for the host team. 

Koita secured a lead for Mauritania seven minutes into the game. 

The Zebras however leveled the scores through midfielder Gilbert Baruti in the 17th minute. 

Though the Zebras failed to secure a in the second half they pilled pressure on the visiting team with a number of attacks forcing the Mauritanian goal keeper to make daring saves. 

An impressive double-save on the 53rd minute by Goitseone Phoko, Botswana’s goal keeper, left the Mauritanian team frustrated. As the match proceeded, coaches were forced to make substitutions with Botswana’s coach Morena Ramoreboli substituting Thabang Sesinyi and Gilbert Baruti for Omaatla Kebatho and Gift Moyo. 

At the post-match press briefing, Coach Ramoreboli said he was impressed by how his team played and believed the team still had a chance to secure a position in the AFCON competitions, adding that everything was still in their hands. 

“It is still in our hands. I’m very happy with the effort and the attitude that the players showed,” he said