First Cut

TSHIMOLOGO BOITUMELO | Friday July 9, 2010 00:00

In Botswana we have had something to gloat about too in recent days. Botswana scalped Tunisia to go into a second game against Chad this afternoon perched at the top of Group K of the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

World Cup football is not the same as the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Never. The latter is not as a hot topic as what is happening in South Africa. We cannot expect much in terms of excitement and thrill in the AFCON 2012 qualifiers. But the prospects of Botswana adding more points to the lot already acquired back in Tunis is tantalising, encouraging and would be a rare success. Which is why the game being played at the UB Stadium today against Chad should draw a decent crowd of highly expectant Batswana; a crowd eager to see whether our boys can go the extra mile.

The Zebras won in Tunisia against many people's expectations. I would be wrong if I say the results are what I essentially expected. I have been one of those people who did not see anything positive in the national team. What compounded my doubt was the way in which we huffed and puffed against a cluster of bench warmers from South Africa in the African Nations Championships (CHAN) early this year. What we initially thought would be a dwindling stake in these qualifiers for Botswana - bearing in mind how the team failed to get some of its top players, and past performance, has been wiped off by the victory in Tunisia. And we are all looking forward to keeping the momentum.

I say it again that we expect a full house - as we naturally look forward to when wins come our way. We have, for now, been given hope that the skulking and mutterings of our people has come to an end. Chad are not invisible. We know what they bring.

In their team, there is an array of top class players some of whom ply their trade in Europe. They can be beaten and please understand my optimism when I predict another positive results.

In Tunis, against expectations of many of us, we may have achieved a win perhaps without good football being played, but hey, who cares! We were in search of a morale-boosting win after a long spell of poor runs and disparaging stories of underachievement in the national team. 

A debate has been raging on as to whether Stan has the experience and impudence to take us somewhere. Many still have doubt. I cannot claim to have the clairvoyance to talk more sense than others. But Stan Tshosane did show his experience and that he is well prepared for the task that lies ahead. If we beat Chad, our position to challenge for top spot will be strengthened.

Sometimes we forget that we are not anywhere near the standards of the top soccer nations and hurl unpleasantness when things go awry. If we lose against Chad, let us give the coach a chance to work on his team, and not re-start the debate about his capabilities.

I also feel those calling the shots at the Botswana Football Association have, for a change, come to their senses in terms of entry charges for the game. The P50 and P30 charges should be a fair price to watch the national team in action. A national team does not go places in these competitions without the support of its fans.

Back to the World Cup. We are part of that global audience and anybody who has watched the competition would agree with me on the exciting football that has been played in South Africa.

I have seen unexpected results in this cup. I would not have bet to see Netherlands in the final. Since their 1988 win in the European Cup of Nations, the 'Orange Brigade' has been no threat at the world stage. Could we be seeing the awakening of a giant with a win over Spain on Sunday? 

If Spain was not going into Sunday's final as European Champions, it would be aptly dubbed a final of underachievers. We do however look forward to seeing a final worthy of a World Cup.

It is also sad that the football showpiece is coming to an end. Men must justify their wayward visits and maintain the trust at home. Like any major sporting event, hanging with the guys to enjoy some football is the reason often given for absence from home. The difference now is that our women nowadays know more about football than most men.

When men thought they could run away from home under the pretext of having a do with the guys in a pub: and thinking our women would be content with it and happy to sit with the children and watch soaps, I have seen things suddenly changing with the World Cup. More women now watch football, car-racing, cricket and rugby.