What is wrong with the Zebras?

| Thursday April 1, 2010 00:00

 

After a disastrous campaign in the qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations 2010 and a shattered COSAFA Cup dream, the Zebras once again failed to redeem themselves in the CHAN qualifiers against a South African side consisting some over the hill players on Sunday. This underlined their poor form in recent years.

The Zebras drew 0-0 in Gaborone before their exit was formalised with a 2-1 return leg defeat in Germiston on Sunday. In 21 months, the Zebras have only won two competitive matches, against Swaziland and Seychelles. It might sound too harsh to judge them on the time that has passed since their last victory since there are not too many national team competitions but the Zebras have simply been pedestrian.

Symbolic of their slide, the Zebras recorded probably their worst result since their rise as a force, when they drew 0-0 against a bunch of part timers from Comoros Islands in the COSAFA Cup last October. Stanley Tshosane has not been popular as a coach and this draw did not help matters. He somehow redeemed himself when he led the Zebras to the quarterfinals but fell 1-0 to Zimbabwe.

When he took over from Briton, Colywn Rowe, Tshosane endeared himself to the fans through a 2-1 away to Mozambique in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. But since then, the former BDF XI coach who was never a popular choice from day one has masterminded some unconvincing performances.

Tshosane has not been helped by a squad that lacks a swashbuckling match winner; a player who can take the game by the scruff of the neck and completely turn it around. The Zebras need a player in the mould of Zimbabwe's former wonder kid, Peter Ndlovu, Zambia's Kalusha Balywa and Abedi Pele of Ghana.

Who will forget the 1994 AFCON finals when Bwalya inspired Zambia to the finals where they narrowly lost to Nigeria? He was such an awesome presence and had a huge influence on the team.

Ndlovu, a flying winger during his hey days, was largely responsible for arguably Zimbabwe's best international run in the 1990s. I remember a sunny afternoon at the National Sports Stadium in 1993 when he produced a moment of magic to power Zimbabwe to victory over a stubborn Angola in an AFCON qualifier.

With the two teams deadlocked at 1-1 and time running out, Ndlovu sold a dummy to a cluster of players in the middle of the pack before setting up John Phiri who responded with a return pass.

The wizard that was Ndlovu responded with an exquisite finish that saw the stadium explode in celebration.

The Zebras, during the Veselin Jelusic era had Diphethogo 'Dipsy' Selolwane in fine form.

The team spirit was amazing. The resolve was unshakeable. Ernest Amos, nicknamed 'Nansi Lendoda' epitomised the power and undying commitment of the players. Upfront, Tshepiso 'Sox' Molwantwa was the wily old fox, a finisher of repute. He had an eye for goal and one cannot forget his sweet but powerfully struck volley against fancied Kenya.

Who will forget the exploits of Mogogi 'Manchester' Gabanamong in the middle and the cultured left foot of Masego Ntshingane? The team was a fine collection of class, brilliance and commitment. The coach could hardly go wrong. Jelusic had the Midas touch. Whatever he touched turned to gold. He turned into an overnight hero; a song 'Fa Veselin a le teng' composed in his honour is testimony to this.

That was five years ago, and things have taken a complete turn around. The Zebras, a brand that spewed financial benefits even for the marginalised, is on the brink of being relegated to the dustbins of history.

Some drastic measures have to be taken. Batswana are known to accept defeat or a grey patch with commendable grace. But that patience is running out. One has to look no further than attendance on Zebras match days.

But how can the Zebras fail?The crop of Selolwane is slowly approaching its sunset days. In fact some are gone. Molwantwa is a pale shadow of the talisman he was during his days at Township Rollers. One has to go to the First Division to watch this former great. Ntshingane is inactive, Selolwane is battling to remain at his club as regular action has eluded him.

'Nansi Lendoda' is semi retired and Kagiso Tshelametsi has been forced into early retirement by an injury.Tshosane has almost a completely new side. Probably his trump card is Dirang Moloi. But the midfield magician can dazzle and disappoint in equal measure. Bean-pole Mogakolodi 'Tsotso' Ngele is still raw and so is goalkeeper Kabelo Dambe. Ofentse 'Size 10' Nato has not blossomed as expected.

He operates in fits and starts. Holding midfielder, Boitumelo 'Navara' Mafoko has battled injuries since a move to the South African Premiership. Gabanamong has slowed down after two blustery seasons at Santos in which he was crowned player of the season in successive years.

So who is the Zebras' best player at the moment? While Tshosane might bemoan the lack of quality that Jelusic enjoyed, the Zebras' coach has at times shown that he is bereft of ideas. It will seem the team is not sure when to attack or defend. Comparatively, the Zebras can match or even do better in terms of resources than most African countries.

The Zebras can afford to camp for three consecutive weeks, thanks to a handsome sponsorship from Orange. The team is well dressed and better resourced than most of their opponents. Remember they once went for a training camp in Brazil.Just across the border, Zimbabwe's football association is in the throes of a crippling financial situation. Prior to their CHAN qualifier against Swaziland last Sunday, Zimbabwean players had to commute from their homes to training sessions. Only one player who hails from outside Harare could be booked into a hotel. But the players put behind such shambolic preparations to beat their opponents 3-0.This is a team that did not have the luxury of a training camp unlike Zebras' players who can afford to check into the luxurious Gaborone Sun or Grand Palm ahead of games. But come match day, the Zebras cannot replicate the performance on the pitch.Clearly the Sport Pitso held in Gaborone this week identified the need to improve resources, including financial, in a bid to breath life into sports. While resources are needed, commitment and zeal should be demanded from the country's representatives. 

Zebras' performance under Tshosane

08 June 2008             2-1 win over Mozambique away in Maputo15 June 2008             0-0 draw against Ivory Coast in Gaborone22 June 2008             4-0 loss to Ivory Coast away in Abidjan06 September 2008     1-0 loss to Madagascar in Antannanarivo06 June 2009              0-0 draw against New Zealand (friendly) Gaborone05 July 2009               1-1 draw against Iran (friendly) Gaborone30 September 2009     4-1 loss to China (friendly) China18 October 2009          0-0 draw against Comoros Islands COSAFA Cup (Bulawayo)20 October 2009          1-0 win over Swaziland COSAFA Cup (Bulawayo)24 October 2009          2-0 win over Seychelles COSAFA Cup (Bulawayo)26 October 2009          1-0 loss to Zimbabwe COSAFA Cup (Bulawayo)03 March 2010             1-0 win over Mozambique (friendly) Mozambique13 March 2010             0-0 draw against South African (CHAN championships)27 March 2010             2-1 loss against South Africa (CHAN return leg)

Results do not include low profile friendly matches.

Tshosane's performance excluding friendly matchesP             W        D         L        GF      G A        P10            3         3       4           6      10        12/30