She Zebras miserable COSAFA run continues
Kabelo Boranabi | Thursday September 14, 2017 15:58
The She Zebras’ search for a victory at the regional tournament remains elusive as they have failed to do so since their debut in 2002 and subsequent tournaments in 2008 and 2011.
The team’s trip to Bulawayo was in doubt as the Botswana Football Association cited lack of funds. Upon sourcing funds at the 11th hour, the team was hastily assembled and trained for only two weeks. Facing a well constructed Namibian side and getting the desired results was always going to be a hard nut to crack. However, the local football fans were given glimpses as the technical team spoke big before the team. But on the pitch, the team failed to walk the talk.
In the first minutes of the game that was played under the scorching sun, the She Zebras were put on the back foot from the first minute as the Brave Gladiators went in search of an early goal. The Gladiators’ efforts were rewarded in the 16th minute when Vistoria Shangula tapped in to an empty net with the goalkeeper Sedilame Bosija, left wanting.
The 25-year-old made a clever run to get at end of chip by Zenata Coleman who beat Bosija on a one on one. The Gladiators kept pressing on for more goals taking advantage of the local central defence pair of Masego Montsho and Kgomotso Molefe, which looked like strangers who just met in the park.
Namibia doubled their lead with four minutes to the break, when Coleman converted from the spot. Two minutes later, Shangula bagged her brace, the defence failed to clear what looked like a harmless ball in to the box, the striker capitalised and beat hapless Bosija to the fast post with a well-taken half volley, in the televised mid-morning kick-off.
In the second half, the local girls produced a better showing as they managed to make a string of passes, but failed to break the Namibians’ stubborn defence. Frustration looked to catch up with the local as they resorted to long shots that failed to hit the target. With the game already in the bag for the western neighbours, substitute Anna-Marie Shihakusho bulldozed Montsho to beat Bosija to stamp the Gladiators’ authority over the Zebras on the day.
The Zebras will face Lesotho and South Africa over the weekend as the search for a win continues.