She Zebras Break COSAFA Jinx
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday September 18, 2017 15:44
The Zebras has broken a 10-game hoodoo at the regional tournament after failing to secure a win in the inaugural tournament in 2002, 2008 and 2011 when the tournament was last played.
Their first match in 2002 ended in an embarrassing 14-0 loss to nemesis, South Africa, but by the time they competed in the last finals in 2011, their clashes were all much closer, though still without success.
Speaking prior to the team’s departure, the team’s coach Gaolethoo ‘Ronaldo’ Nkutlwisang said her side would be looking for more improved results.
The She Zebras suffered a rather embarrassing defeat in their first attempt on Wednesday, going down 4-0 to Namibia’s Brave Gladiators. On Saturday in a do or die fixture against Lesotho, Double Action’s Boitumelo Gammu showed the girls’ intentions as she opened the scoring as early as the third minute. The Zebras controlled much of the first half, but had themselves to blame as they missed a lot of chances.
In the 22nd minute, the team’s captain Bonang Otlhagile doubled the lead before getting her brace four minutes later.
The 31-year-old, who is the longest serving player in the team and one of the remaining from the 2011 squad, scored a brace, which up to yesterday, kept the local girls in contention for a place in the semi finals.