Botswana’s football fans will be forgiven for taking out their calculators, prematurely anticipating an end to the country’s long wait for success, as the Zebras stand on the brink of qualifying for their maiden Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals appearance.
The team recently consolidated their lead at the top of Group K, beating a much-fancied Togo 2-1. The team’s recent fine run has swept away the gloom of past failures and ushered in soaring expectations from fans, the media and players alike.
Forget that the 2012 Afcon qualifying campaign started quietly far away in Tunisia when very few gave the Zebras a chance, because now coach Stanley Tshosane’s team looks set to make history by qualifying for the continental showpiece for the first time.
The top two teams from the only five-team group will qualify for the finals and although the current 10-point haul is not enough to see Botswana through, a win over Tunisia in November will take them to Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, co-hosts of the 2012 edition of the tournament.
Interestingly, it has taken a man who was torn to pieces when given the Zebras job after a botched Afcon campaign last year. Tshosane took the job towards the end of the 2010 Afcon qualifiers, replacing Briton Colwyn Rowe, one of the foreign coaches who failed to qualify the Zebras for a major tournament. For a long time, Tshosane’s tactics were dismissed and his credentials questioned, but he remained resolute.
Excited as he is about the prospects of a debut dance at Afcon 2012, Tshosane warns that it is too early to celebrate possible qualification. “We are definitely not yet there, because we have only played half of the qualifiers. So I do not want to start looking at the mathematics, but I need us to continue collecting points,” he said.
Botswana are left with home matches against Tunisia and Malawi. Callistus Bosaletswe, a supporter from Gaborone, believes the Zebras will have an edge over one of the visiting teams and bag the much-needed three points. “I was very sceptical about the early wins, but I now feel they have done enough [to] qualify. We have two home games remaining and that should work to our advantage,” he said.
Botswana are likely to get a major boost ahead of the remaining qualifiers as Mogogi Gabonamong, who plies his trade with Santos in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League, wishes to return to the national team. Gabonamong has repeatedly snubbed call-ups, saying the association neglects player welfare.
In his absence SuperSport United’s Diphetogo “Dipsy” Selolwane has carried the team on his shoulders. The former Ajax Cape Town star urged his Zebras teammates to remain focused ahead of the remaining games. “The most important thing is to keep the mentality of working and doing the right things on the field. I feel they [the players] listen and have matured and are tactically better now.”
He attributes the tactical awareness to the exposure they are getting in the South African PSL. Orlando Pirates’ Phenyo Mongala has been terrific for the Zebras, as has Santos’s Jerome Ramatlhakwana, scorer of three goals in four qualifiers. Bay United goalkeeper Modiri Marumo has also been outstanding for the team. Ramatlhakwana, who is linked with a move to Vasco da Gama, is presently the joint top scorer with Mamadou Niang of Senegal in the qualifiers.
While most players are snivelling over bonuses, Selolwane believes they will be rewarded should they book a berth in the Afcon finals. “I’m sure we will get the real reward when we qualify to play in the Nations Cup finals and some plots or houses,” he said.
“There is still a long way to go; we need to take each game as it comes and help the coach and the team.”
Botswana Football Association (BFA) senior technical officer Philemon Makhwengwe said the team must play international friendly matches against strong opposition ahead of the remaining qualifiers.
“There is nothing special that we must do to qualify, apart from proper preparation and giving all the necessary support to the technical team. We also need to make sure we keep the players psychologically motivated,” Makhwengwe said.
Despite the Zebras having beaten Tunisia 1-0 away, Mqondisi Dube, sports editor of Botswana daily Mmegi, warns the return leg will be tough. “The Zebras’ chances of qualifying look bright, but it would be a huge mistake to think they have already qualified. At this stage, it’s critical to keep the team focused and motivated,” he said.