Uphill task for Dream Team

TSHEPO MOLWANE
Staff Writer | Tuesday April 3, 2007 00:00

 

The win puts the Amaglug-glug in pole position to qualify and if their display over the weekend is anything to go by, the Young Zebras need outside intervention to cruise through. In the opening 20 minutes, the South Africans attacked from all quarters forcing the Young Zebras to concede a number of corners. 

With Lebohang Mokoena, Mkhanyiseli Siwahla and Sibusiso Hadebe on song, the Botswana defence was found wanting on several occasions. Inspired by their fans, it was clear that Amaglug-glug would score anytime. Mokoena missed an opportunity when his header came off the upright with Botswana goalkeeper Itumeleng Selapa well beaten.
   Selapa who is standing in for injured Noah Maposa seemed lost in the opening minutes but regained confidence with time. Selapa made a good save midway through the opening half from a free-kick.

Young Zebras hardly played and the pace of the South Africans proved too much for them. This frustrated the travelling fans who watched from the eastern side of the 17,000 capacity stadium.

Amaglug-glug opened the scoring in the 31st minute when Erwin Isaacs tapped in at the near post after the Young Zebras' rearguard failed to make a decisive clearance.

Botswana's first clear-cut chance came on the stroke of halftime when captain Moemedi 'Jomo' Moatlhaping's shot was deflected for a corner. Things might have been different if he had laid the ball for oncoming Dirang Moloi. Lobtrans Gunners' Kemmy Pilato who was given a rare start on the left, suffered from stage fright.

After the break, the South Africans  continued to haunt the Young Zebras with their speed. Bernard Parker pulled the strings from the midfield where Botswana's Amos Godirwang struggled. Parker performed the linkman's role with ease and  deservedly won the man of the match award.

Amaglug-glug increased the score in the 67th minute when Mokoena capitalised on Tumisang Sekanonyana's defensive blunder. Though Sekanonyana cried foul, the Zimbabwean referee Kenias Marange ignored him.

After the game, the Amaglug-glug coach Steve Komphela said that it is always going to be difficult to play Botswana especially after the Young Zebras' recent wins against Angola and Tunisia. 'They gave us little room and we decided to attack knowing that they would break. It's not going to be easy in Botswana,' said Komphela.

Botswana coach David Bright said that their opponents were too fast for them and that is how they (opponents) won the game. 'Chances are there that we'll reverse the score in Gaborone. Batswana should not despair and keep encouraging the boys,' he said.

Young Zebras have to win the second leg by a margin of three goals to qualify outright for the AAG. But a 2-0 score offers a lottery chance in the post-match penalty shoot-out.