Zebras Wrap 51st Celebrations With A Win
Kabelo Boranabi | Tuesday October 3, 2017 17:23
Jerome Ramatlhakwana marked his home return to the Zebras setup after a three-year absence with a brace to gift coach, David Bright his first victory at the helm of the team.
The Zebras were awarded an early penalty, as defender Anteneh Tesfaye was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the penalty area in the second minute. Ramatlhakwana stepped up and converted from the spot.
Ten minutes later, a well played cross from Edwin Olerile found Kabelo Seakanyeng who came from the blind spot, went for a first time shot but could not hit the target as it sailed over the bar. The local boys controlled much of the game, but did not add to the one-goal lead. Segolame Boy showed some quick feet as he got past Ethiopian defenders, but his effort was blocked.
While Kabelo Dambe on the other side was forced into action as he tipped Getaneh Kedebe’s long range effort over the bar in the 22nd minute.
A minute before the break, Keeagile Kobe’s free-kick was saved by the keeper and Onkabetse Makgantai shot was wide from the rebound. The Zebras took a one goal lead into the break.
The second half started on a low with the Ethiopians opting to play long balls to line striker, Kedebe but could not break the towering defence pair of Thabang Mosige and Simisane Mathumo.
In the 58th minute, the Zebras were rewarded yet another penalty as Kobe was brought down inside the box by the keeper. Ramatlhakwana sent the keeper the wrong way to give the Zebras a comfortable two-goal margin.
Kebede nearly pulled one back for the visitors when he got at the end of a long range pass, but Dambe was up to the task as he saved the striker’s half volley in the 79th-minute.
Neither created goal-scoring chances as the Zebras granted the local football fans a much awaited win under the Bright regime.
“Our target was to go get a win, no matter how it came. I think we have achieved our goal. The boys made a lot of mistakes. They lost a lot of balls and failed to convert our chances, but I think it is something that can be developed,” Bright told journalists after the game.
The Teams:
Botswana: Kabelo Dambe, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Edwin Olerile, Simisane Mathumo, Thabang Mosige, Alphonse Modisaotsile, Kabelo Seakanyeng (Onkabetse Makgantai), Maano Ditshupo (Katlego Masole), Jerome Ramatlhakwana (Tumisang Orebonye), Keeagile Kobe, Segolame Boy, Makgantai (Thero Setsile)
Ethiopia: Lealem Birhanu, Getaneh Kebede, Anteneh Tesfaye, Aschalew Tamene, Desta Yohanes, Abdukerim Mohammed, Mulualem Mesfem, Mentsenot Adane, Gadisa Merbert, Abedurahman Mubarke, Dawa Hotesah
Cautions: Mesfen, Tesfaye, Olerile, Mathumo
Dismissal: Tamene
Botswana 2 (Ramatlhakwana 2nd [pen], 58th [pen])
Ethiopia 0