Selefa Saves Dream Team

TSHEPO MOLWANE
Staff Writer | Monday October 15, 2007 00:00

 

The goal gave the Under-23 side its first win in the qualifiers. The Young Zebras did it in style as Selefa played one of the best games of his budding career. After the strikers squandered numerous chances, the defender showed his colleagues how it is done by scoring two beautiful goals, which put the Young Zebras' dreams of qualifying for the Olympics back on track.

The Young Zebras dominated proceedings but in the 52nd minute the defence went to sleep and allowed Abdoulaye Sylla to give Guinea the lead. The Guinean striker capitalised on clumsy defending by Selefa and captain Musa Ohilwe to slot the ball past a bemused goalkeeper Itumeleng Selapa. The goal shocked thousands of supporters at the stadium.

The fans' agony were not helped by the fact that strikers Kaone Molefe and Kekaetswe 'Mara' Moloi were hopeless in front of goal.

But relief came from an unlikely quarter when Selefa powered a 40-yard shot home after he was given room in the midfield. The Mochudi Centre Chiefs' defender barrelled his way forward with the ball and with many anticipating that he would pass the ball, he unleashed a low drive that left the well-built Guinea goalkeeper Hamidou Camara sprawled on the turf.

The fans greeted the strike with ecstasy. Supporters spurred the local lads on and when the game looked headed for a stalemate. But an overlapping Selefa once again came to the rescue, running onto a high ball and heading it past Camara who had already left his line. The winner came deep into the referee's optional time.

After the game, supporters at the notorious Pandamantenga stand waited for the players and gave them a standing ovation. But the hero was Selefa and when he left the pitch, the supporters chanted, 'Shooooes' and he responded by clapping.

He told Monitor Sport that he was overwhelmed with joy after the performance. 'I am happy that I managed to score the goals which gave us our first win. We could have beaten these guys (Guinea) when we played them away because they are not better than us,' he said.

He added that his goals came due to team effort. He thanked supporters who came to the stadium saying that they helped in motivating the boys to go for victory.

Young Zebras' coach David Bright said that the game went well. He pointed out that their plan was to pressurise Guinea in the first half and attack them after the break.

Bright regretted that his substitute Lapologang Motlogi did not play well perhaps because of stage fright. He thanked the supporters who rallied behind the team on the day.

Young Zebras line-up;
Selapa, Bokhutlo, Ohilwe, Mosimanyana, Selefa, Ramohibidu, Godirwang (Molemogi), Maiketso (Mabina), Sembowa (Motlogi), Molefe and Moloi.