The Voice (Francistown)
Monnakgotla Mojaki
1 April 2008
Francistown — Referee Israel Malepa would never be forgiven for the goal he allowed against the senior national team, Zebras, when they hosted Zimbabwe in an international friendly on Wednesday night.
A long ball into the Zebras 18-yard box, which was handled by goalkeeper Modiri Marumo before the Zimbabwean players pushed him with the ball inside the net, was judged to have been a legitimate goal despite protests from the Zebras players.
The Zimbabwean team looked to have taken the game more seriously than in any other encounter they had with the Zebras. For the first time 'the Warriors' had all their professional players in England-based Benjani Mwaruwari and the South African-based, Gilbert Mushangazike of Orlando Pirates and Esrom Nyandoro who plies his services for Sundowns.
The tried and tested Zebras defence of Mompati Thuma and Ernest Amos
could as well be hailed for playing their hearts out in defense and holding their own against some of the world's best players. Credit must, however, go to Township Rollers' Boitumelo Mafoko who played the sweeper's role and looked to have fitted in the new role as quickly the coach would have loved. Mafoko's execution and reading of the game was always the best and this denied the Zimbabweans breathing space. Zimbabwe is ranked higher than Botswana in the FIFA rankings and a draw for the Zebras would have been not a bad result.
The Zebras had all their professional players for the game with keeper Marumo having traveled all the way from Egypt, and so did the South African-based Michael Mogaladi, Diphetogo Selolwane and Mogogi Gabonamong.
Gabonamong played in a new role behind Selolwane and Jerome Ramatlhakwane. Dirang Moloi also made one of his rare starts for the Zebras in midfield and Mpho Mabogo also got a run in the second half, marking his return to the Zebras after being recalled to the team.
Coach Rowe explained that he played Gabonamong just behind the strikers as he wants his team to start winning balls in the opponents half, a factor that could benefit the team if they win possession on the opponents' territory.
"I don't know what other people will think but I think honestly speaking we played against a very strong Zimbabwe side. Their coach was surprised at the level of our commitment but I feel a bit hard done by the referee," Rowe told Voice Sports after the game.
The Briton was, however, happy with his team's performance saying his charges took instructions and out played their opponents.
"We did well and we should have come out with a draw or maybe better but we out-played them and I am happy. We had our chances in the first half and could still have buried the game."
Meanwhile, the Under 23, after having their flight landing in a different town due to weather complications, narrowly lost one nil to Cameroon. But the BFA Technical Director, Losika Keatlholetswe, is not particularly bothered, saying the result wasn't bad looking at the fact that the team never even got time to train before the match.
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