Zebras' Recover Twice To Beat CAR

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Monday June 17, 2013 00:00

 

The visitors had gone ahead at the half hour mark through Auzingoni Zimbori before a 37th minute penalty by Jerome Ramatlhakwana levelled matters. Botswana started the game in attack mode but never created any real goal scoring chances while the Central Africans tested Kabelo Dambe on several occasions.

The goalkeeper was called to action in the opening 10 minutes, twice making crucial saves to keep the Zebras in the match.  However, the young custodian should shoulder the blame for the opening goal after trying to hold on to a cross he could have fisted away. He spilled the ball to Zimbori who easily slotted home. Botswana had just a minute earlier survived another scare when Amores Dertin's shot came off the upright with Dambe well beaten.

 The Zebras coach, Stanley Tshosane was forced into an early substitution in the 17th minute when injured winger, Phenyo Mongala was replaced by Lemponye Tshireletso.  Botswana continued pressing forward for an equaliser and got a penalty in the 36th minute after Mogakolodi Ngele was brought down in the box.

Ramatlhakwana converted to level the score. The penalty earned CAR defender, Ali Tolmbaye an early shower, leaving the visitors to play the rest of the match a man down. The red card nearly exposed Tshosane's often-questionable tactical acumen, as he did not change anything despite the advantage. 

Realising Botswana was not causing any threats, CAR made tactical changes after the break and continued attacking. They were rewarded with a goal five minutes into the half when Zimbori turned and released a thunderbolt from the box that Dambe could do nothing to save. After falling behind for the second time, Botswana continued launching attacks with the fullbacks pushing forward to deliver crosses. Ngele was unfortunate to have his shot come off the crossbar in the 74th minute. A minute later he levelled the score with a tap in following a goal mouth melee. Sensing danger, CAR pulled out two forwards and brought in defenders, a move that backfired as Botswana continued attacking in the dying minutes.

The Zebras got a free kick just outside the box in the 87th minute and Jackie Mothatego curled in a shot that the goalkeeper fluffed. Ofentse Nato tapped in the rebound to make it 3-2.  The Zebras, though out of the race for the 2014 World Cup are now tied at four points with CAR with one round to go. The win is a first for Botswana in over a year. It moved the Zebras one place up to third in the group that also has Ethiopia and South Africa.