The Zebras have now gone 450 minutes of competitive football without scoring and this is something which should be worrying the technical team. Despite starting the game against South Africa on a positive note, the local lads failed to bury the numerous chances they created. The likes of Sekhana Koko, Tsotso Ngele and Mokgathi Mokgathi were the chief culprits.

The best chance in the opening stanza fell to captain Mompati Thuma but his powerful header missed the target by a whisker. The Zebras continued to push forward but failed to penetrate the visitors' defence led by captain Thapelo Tshilo. The visitors also had a chance to open the scoring but Oupa Manyisa saw his shot cleared off the line by Thuma in the 42nd minute. Manyisa and Michael Nkambule were brilliant in the middle of the park and often had the supporters on the edge of their seats.

After the break, Kaizer Chiefs' midfielder Nkambule unleashed a piledriver but goalkeeper Kabelo Dambe had it covered. The Zebras responded well through Ngele who beat a cluster of defenders but his final shot had no sting.

The Zebras failed to click in the middle of the park where Ofentse Nato and Patrick Motsepe were playing and it remains a nightmare why coach Stanley Tshosane left Mochudi Centre Chiefs' creative midfielder Dirang Moloi rotting on the bench for over 80 minutes. When Moloi came on, it proved too little too late as he failed to settle down in the game.

Another strange move was the decision to leave ECCO City Greens' hitman Malepa Bolelang on the bench when it was clear that goals were not coming. For the most part of the second half, the Zebras were negative in their approach and it remains to be seen if they will manage to overcome a third string South African side when they meet in the return leg in a fortnight. The visitors nearly snatched victory in the 82nd minute when Tshilo's free-kick came off the upright and the resultant rebound hit the back of the net. But fortunately for Botswana, the assistant referee flagged for offside. Zebras had the chance to break their jinx of not scoring two minutes from time but South Africa's goalkeeper Mpande Mngoma did well to thwart substitute Moemedi Moatlhaping's move.

Former Under-23 coach David Bright who was among the spectators summed up the performance: "I have not watched the Zebras in a long time but this game proved to be a difficult one for them. After their victory in Mozambique (1-0, friendly game in Maputo), I thought they would do well. Our guys looked tired and were more in defence than attack which was disappointing." According to Bright, the Zebras should have easily thumped the 'weak' South African side. "This team had no names and we struggled against them."

This is how both sides lined up:
Zebras: Kabelo Dambe- Tshepo Motlhabankwe (Michael Mogaladi), Mmusa Ohilwe, Ndiyapo Letsholathebe, Thuma - Ofentse Nato (Moloi), Motsepe, Othusitse Pilane (Moemedi Moatlhaping), Sekhana Koko - Mokgathi Mokgathi, Tsotso Ngele. Coach: Stanley Tshosane

SA: Mngoma- Tebogo Monyai, Warren Bishop, Mthetheli Mxoyana, Tshilo- Klaas Galane, Manyisa, Bridget Mota, Bongane Twala (Joseph Makhanya)- Michael Nkambule, Ryan Botha (Thabo Moleko). Coach: Serame Letsoaka

Referee: Alex Tiyeho (Namibia)
Assistant referees: Eratus Shilunga and Alfeus Shipanga (both Namibia)
Fourth Official: Lekgotla Johannes (Botswana)