Go Zebras!

Editor | Wednesday November 17, 2010 00:00

 

The team has done well thus far and should be helped over the line. It might have been tough when the Zebras kicked off their campaign in far away Tunis in July, but it is now even tougher as the team faces the finish line.

A win over a tough Tunisia this afternoon will go a long way in keeping our dream alive.

If the Zebras prevail over the North Africans, they will move a step closer to making history by becoming the first side to qualify for the continent's premier football competition.

A draw will not be a bad result considering that the Zebras will retain top spot and remain firmly in contention. With the top two teams assured of places in Equatorial Guinea in 2012, the Zebras have never been in such a strong position to qualify.

That is needed is every ounce of support from the nation. More often than not, bickering, either over bonuses or other issues thwarts the teams' preparations. There have been some negative reports in the media in the last week regarding relations within the team. The last thing that the team needs at this moment is distraction. The boys deserve undivided support, which should come from all role players.

The administrators at the Botswana Football Association (BFA) should have learnt their lesson by now. We do not want to open the painful past where we saw the Zebras threaten to boycott games at the last minute. Our assumption is that everything has been done accordingly to ensure the team focuses on the job at hand.

This is no time to score points or steal glamour from the team. Let us rally behind the Zebras as they pursue a dream that is so close to being realised. We know the impact of sport in any community. It has a binding effect and we can only imagine the euphoria that will grip the nation after 5pm today if the Zebras win. We will be united despite our diversity and savour a rare moment in football. What we have seen since the beginning of the qualifiers heralds a new era in Botswana football. The continent is taking notice. Football is undergoing a metamorphosis, which should surely result in the creation of a vibrant industry that will employ many. While we expect a win or at least a draw in today's encounter, if results do not come, let us take whatever comes with grace.

A game can only produce three outcomes, which will not be favourable to all. It is imperative that we take whatever result that comes in our stride. We appeal to the relevant authorities in charge of security to ensure an incident-free afternoon, conducive for all. We wish the Zebras all the best, and to the nation: Please support the team, support the dream.

                                                                           Today's thought

                                                  'Don't give up at half-time. Concentrate on winning the second half.'                                                                     - Paul Bear Bryant, Coach