Doubtless, Letsile Tebogo's golden moment in Paris on July 8 stands out as Botswana's shining moment this year. Amidst a change of government after last month's general election, the country could be set for another landmark with the Zebras on the brink of a second return to the AFCON finals. The Zebras play Mauritania in a make-or-break AFCON qualifier at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium this afternoon. More than 12 years have passed since the Zebras sat at the dining table with Africa's finest. The moment to return to the top table presents itself this afternoon as a nation holds its collective breath hoping for a campaign-changing win that will book the Zebras a place in Morocco next year. There is a sharp contrast between the two campaigns after the first, which started with an underwhelming departure to Tunisia on a cold July afternoon in 2008. Then, the Zebras were under the stewardship of Stanley Tshosane, who enjoys the iconic status after becoming the first coach to take Botswana to the AFCON finals.
The Zebras had to toil past several hurdles including being regarded as the perennial ‘Whipping Boys’ of Africa where the debate always centred on the margin of defeat rather than the match outcome. The national side began to show grit under Serbian Jelusic Jelušić around 2005 and the period marked the start of a galvanised revolution. Tshosane took the baton from Colwyn Rowe to complete the revolution that had gained momentum under Jelušić. The 2012 success was built on a firm defensive foundation with Tshosane preferring a pragmatic approach over adventure. Whilst the football was rarely pleasing to the eye, it paid dividends as the Zebras relied on the predatory instincts of Jerome Ramatlhakwana, who was clinical in front of goal and was the team's focal person in attack. The team had the resilience and the talents of Diphetogo 'Dipsy' Selolwane, Mogogi 'Gino' Gabonamong, Phenyo 'Mzambia' Mongala, Mompati 'Apache' Thuma, and the steadying influence of Modiri Marumo between the sticks. I
