Doomed campaign springs to life

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Wednesday November 17, 2010 00:00

 

 The Zebras stand on the brink of history, virtually against expectations after fans dismissed the team because of a poor build-up to the campaign.

The journey started with a shock away 1-0 win over Tunisia in July, with some critics dismissing it as a fluke.

Tunisia had just held then World Cup bound France to an impressive 1-1 draw and few gave the Zebras a chance against the former African champions.

Jerome Ramatlhakwana upset the form-book with a first half goal that sunk the home side. The Zebras' next assignment was at home against Chad and was seen as a walk in the park. But it was never to to be. After a mighty scare, the Zebras were lucky to escape with a 1-0 win over the West Africans.

It took a speculative effort from Orlando Pirates' winger, Phenyo Mongala to settle the tie. The win sent the Zebras clear at the top and made the continent sit up and take notice. An away tie to Malawi was deemed an acid test and indeed it was as the Zebras had to cling for dear life in a 1-1 draw.

Again it was Ramatlhakwana who thrust the Zebras into the lead before the home side equalised late on. The draw earned the Zebras a heroes welcome when they returned home. Supporter's clubs emerged from hibernation to suddenly declare its support for the team.

Togo were the next opponents at the UB Stadium and Zebras played an improved game and eventually won 2-1. But like the Chad match it was a close run thing after the Togolese drew level at the stroke of half time.

Joel Mogorosi had given the home team the lead before Ramatlhakwana, who is proving to be the star of the qualifiers, struck the winner in the second half.

The Zebras were now six points clear at the top but last month's fixtures changed the equation. With the Zebras inactive, Malawi and Tunisia gratefully grabbed the opportunity to close the gap. Tunisia cut the Zebras lead to three points with a 2-1 win over Togo. Malawi came within four points of the Zebras after thumping Chad 6-2.  The Tunisians have proved to be tricky customers playing away from Tunis. They started the campaign disastrously, going down 1-0 to the Zebras before downing Chad 3-1 in N'djamena.

When they returned to what was supposed to be their fortress in Tunis, they again failed to fetch maximum points and drew 2-2 with Malawi. Last month, they visited Togo and emerged 2-1 winners to throw Group K wide open.

It remains to be seen if the Carthage Eagles will continue with their impressive run away from home today against a team that has not dropped points at the compact UB Stadium.

In the other match in Group K, third placed Togo play Chad in Lome.