Botswana buoyant after impressive COPA Coca-Cola show

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Wednesday June 16, 2010 00:00

 

The team lost the final 3-1 to the hosts. Botswana players recovered from an average performance in the group stages where they finished fourth to become giant slayers in the knockout phase of the competition, forcing their way to the finals. Prior to the tournament, the team spent one week training in Johannesburg.

Botswana was drawn in the same group with Uganda, Zambia, Kenya, Angola and an invitational team. Botswana finished fourth in the group and proceeded to the quarterfinals where they beat tournament favourites, Tanzania by a solitary goal to book a place in the semis. Tanzania were installed favourites after finishing top of their group, which included powerhouses Nigeria and South Africa. In the semi-finals, Botswana beat Zambia 2-1 before falling 3-1 to South Africa in the finals. The team got a rare opportunity to watch the World Cup group tie between Ghana and Serbia on Sunday before returning home on Monday evening.

Speaking on arrival at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (SSKIA), the director of Sports and Recreation, Falcon Sedimo congratulated the youngsters for their effort at the tournament. He said the team will provide a strong pool for the national side selectors. The players were drilled by Kopanelo 'Shine' Maleke. The coach said they learnt a lot from the competition and his wish is to see the players developing together and graduating to the senior side. The COPA Coca-Cola tournament is played in many countries in Africa, South America and Europe. In South Africa, the tournament has produced stars like Mandla Masango and Andile Jali who are now plying their trade for top clubs, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates respectively.