Zebras have mountain to climb in World Cup qualifiers

In the process, Ethiopia, surprise finalists at the 2013 AFCON finals in South Africa, tightened their grip at the top, maintaining a two-point advantage over South Africa's Bafana Bafana.The South Africans had briefly assumed authority at the top with a 2-0 spanking of Central Africa Republic (CAR) on Saturday. However, that lead lasted less than 24hours as the Ethiopians beat a plucky Zebras 1-0.

The Zebras have watched their fortunes slide horrendously since sealing their maiden AFCON qualification with a 1-0 victory away in N'Djamena, Chad, more than two years ago.Without some of the lieutenants who did duty in 2012, Tshosane's charges are short of fluency and desperately need a quick turn around to recharge their faltering campaign.The Zebras' meeting against Ethiopia in Gaborone in the return leg in June has assumed new relevance if the local side entertains any faint hopes of progressing to the next round.