Chipolopolo Coach Hail Zebras

RYDER GABATHUSE
Staff Writer | Monday July 23, 2007 00:00

 

Speaking after the international friendly to mark the re-opening of the renovated and expanded Itekeng Stadium in Orapa, the Zambian said the Zebras gave his boys a tough time.

 
'Although this was a friendly game, we took it seriously as our line up shows. By the way, Botswana is slowly becoming a powerhouse among teams within its bracket,' Phiri said. 'We were playing with a team that has a majority of youngsters. We had prepared well for the game and we took it very seriously as the Zebras have been consistently improving not only against Zambia but against tough sides like Egypt, Bafana Bafana and others.'

Phiri said that Chipolopolo was very unlucky not to have scored in the 90 minutes and during penalties anything can happen. 'So, the best team won and in this case it is Botswana.'
Phiri felt that the game provided his side with the opportunity to prepare ahead of the COSAFA Castle Cup. Chipolopolo took all their five penalties with Collins Mbesuma, Ben Mwanza, scoring, while  Jack Chileshe, Ellison Mkandawire  and  Clive Hachilensa, all missed.

Pontsho Moloi, Tshepo Motlhabankwe, and Vincent Phiri converted for the Zebras with  Ndiapo Letsholathebe missing. In the early minutes of the game, Moloi seemed to trouble the Chipolopolo rearguard  but the goals did not come. He was given a free role that enabled him to switch between the right and left flanks. On the right flank, he made very few impressive moves against the Zambian rearguard led by Evans Chisulo. The Zambians were forced to commit fouls to deny Botswana.

 
Attempts by Boitumelo Mafoko, Nelson Gabolwelwe, Motlhabankwe, Onalethata Tshekiso, Barnes Radipotsane and Dipsy Selolwane gave the Zebras hope in the first half. On the visitors' side, attacker, Mbesuma proved troublesome.

The role of veteran, Selolwane in the weekend friendly was not really clear as he disappointed most of the time. He managed only one shot at goal. He was replaced by Jones Kwape. Another predictable substitution was that of Tshekiso who was replaced by Phiri. Kwape and Phiri enlivened the Zebras game.

The Zebras should have scored through Kwape  but he failed to communicate well with Tshekiso as another chance went begging. After the game, Zebras coach Colwyn Rowe said that although it was a friendly, they took the game seriously as it was part of their preparations for COSAFA. 'The Zambian friendly has offered us an opportunity to critic our game plan and come up with a winning formula,' he said.