Zebras make giant strides in Durban, but where to?
Mqondisi Dube | Friday June 14, 2019 12:47
Mpote was just three games into his Zebras reign when he touched down at the King Shaka International Airport for the COSAFA Castle Cup tournament.
At the end of the competition, he was nearly the hero, but like his predecessor, success had eluded him. Peter Butler was the first to go agonisingly close in 2016 when he lost the COSAFA Cup final 3-2 to South Africa. It was that close.
Last week Saturday, Botswana asked the Zambians the uncomfortable questions in a cagey final, but just like in 2016, it was so near, yet so far, as Chipolopolo fired a single bullet, which floored the Zebras.
There were a lot of positives drawn from the Zebras team’s play. Lebogang Ditsele was a towering presence in midfield, Segolame Boy appeared to have his confidence back, while between sticks, Ezekiel Morake was assured.
But it was the diminutive Mothusi Cooper, who entered the semifinal tie against South Africa as a second half substitute, who left the coastal city with his reputation enhanced.
Cooper was the man-of-the-match against Lesotho, as he sprayed frequent accurate passes, which caught the eye.
A number of players are expected to pen deals with South African sides after the eye-catching displays.
But the COSAFA Cup exploits are nothing new, but in fact have recently become a precursor to a bad omen.
Should fans be afraid? On the recent evidence, yes, but there should be collective hope that lightning does not strike thrice.
After the magnificent 2016 COSAFA Cup run, the Zebras began to wobble, which culminated in defeat to Mauritania in the opening match of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
A disgruntled Butler threw in the towel, and joined Platinum Stars of South Africa.
In came David Bright, a man who had masterminded a brilliant but ultimately, unsuccessful, Under-23 Olympic Games run.
He had a good run in the COSAFA Cup, including a record 6-0 win over Mauritius.
While the Zebras failed to progress beyond the quarterfinals, they had made a mark after emerging from a group that included Malawi and Angola.
South African sides snapped up a number of the players.
But what followed, was a calamitous barren run, which saw the team failing to register a win in 10 months, resulting in Bright’s sacking in February.
A sense of self-belief has returned under Mpote, but for how long, or the COSAFA Cup curse has returned with a vengeance?