One of Zebras’ finest dancers leaves the stage

Ramatlhakwana’s deadly boot carried much of the weight during a memorable campaign that delivered the Zebras’ one and thus far, only dance at the AFCON finals in 2012. It was during a period when the Zebras emphatically shed the unwanted ‘Whipping Boys’ tag as they chose to mingle with Africa’s finest in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Since that place in the sun, successive generations have failed to replicate the feat of Ramatlhakwana’s Class of 2012 as qualification to the continental competition has proven elusive.

Stanley Tshosane was the local man on the touchline to guide the Zebras to the historic moment and ‘JJ’ was a vital piece of the puzzle. Despite a lack of game time at his South African side, Engen Santos, Tshosane persisted with Ramatlhakwana who led the Zebras line-up with aplomb.