It was a year of the all-conquering Zebras

| Monday December 20, 2010 00:00

 

Whatever transpired on that fateful day in July in Tunis when everyone was busy with the Soccer World Cup in neighbouring South Africa seemed to have totally turned the fortunes of the Zebras.

No one really gave the team a chance after the appointment of Stanley Tshosane as head coach. Add to that the team's poor showing in a couple of friendly matches played in preparation for the 2012 AFCON qualifiers. Before leaving for Tunisia for the opener, they played their last friendly game against Zambia in an empty Molepolole stadium.

Quietly they left our shores to Tunisia, and four days later they arrived to song and dance by supporters gathered at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport.

This was the beginning of good things. The team went on to complete the first round of the qualifiers without a loss and top of Group K. They still remain top and need only two points from their remaining three matches to be sure of making a historical debut at the continental showpiece.

The team continued scaling up the FIFA rankings. They close the year as the best movers in Africa having moved a total 65 places from 118th in January to 53rd in December.