Zebras� AFCON hopes fade

Mqondisi Dube | Thursday September 11, 2014 11:13

In typical smash and grab fashion, Senegal pocketed a breakaway goal midway through the first half, before sewing up the tie with a late second. All goals came against the run of play as the Zebras bravely fought their more illustrious opponents. The match began with captain, Joel Mogorosi, who was unusually off-colour, spooning an effort high and wide in the fifth minute after making good space.

A sparse crowd turned up to watch the team, which put up a good fight against a lethargic Senegal. The Senegalese served their first notice of intent in the seventh minute when Sadio Mane posted into Stephane Badji head but veteran goalkeeper, Modiri Marumo saved.

Rookie, Segolame Boy justified the rave reviews he is receiving on the local scene with a glorious pass across to Mogorosi, who however stabbed his effort wide in the 13th minute.

The most dangerous cross of the half came in the 24th minute from Senegal’s right flank, but the ball rolled dangerously across Marumo’s goal.

Sengal goalkeeper, Bouna Coundoul snuffed Mogorosi’s effort in the 29th minute before a Jerome Ramatlhakwana header was kept out.

Ramatlhakwana burst clear before he was tripped inches outside the penalty box in the 31st minute and Mooketsi saw his effort dip narrowly late from the resultant kick.

Then the next minute, against the run of play, the home side was trailing after outstanding Southampton midfielder, Mane found himself racing clear. He kept his composure and rolled the ball beyond Marumo for the opener.

The goal seemed to flatten the Zebras who had kept their opponents under lock and key.

The Zebras made a blistering start to the second and should have leveled matters when Ramatlhakwana was sent through after a brilliant Mogogi Gabonamong tackle in the 56th minute. However, Ramatlhakwana lifted his effort straight into the hands of a grateful Cyprus based Coundoul.

Butler then made a tactical change, withdrawing Obonye Moswate and Mooketsi for Kabelo Seakanyeng and Galabgwe Moyana. The switch added more impetus to the Zebras play with Moyana showing good touches but in one sweeping move, Ramatlhakwana failed to apply the finish.

The Zebras continued to be the more adventurous of the two sides but just like in the first stanza, the proverbial sucker punch returned to floor the hosts.

Man of the match, Mane produced his magic on the right before finding Dame Ndoye who prodded past Marumo to seal the contest with seven minutes left.

Zebras coach, Peter Butler, who was forced to shuffle his cards due to a number of suspensions, was happy with the display despite the defeat.

“I am proud of the players considering the circumstances. We gave a powerhouse a run for its money. It is not over until the fat lady sings. We will give it our best shot in the remaining four games,” Butler said.

This was the Zebras second successive defeat after a valiant 2-1 reversal at the hands of Tunisia on Saturday. In the other Group G encounter, Egypt lost to Tunisia.

Zebras line-up: Marumo, Moswate (Seakanyeng), Mooketsi (Moyana), Gaolaolwe, Mafoko, Ncenga, Gabonamong, Ogopotse, Boy, Ramatlhakwana