Will the Zebras finally cross the line?
MQONDISI DUBE
The Zebras are yet to earn full stripes at the COSAFA Cup, despite their recent promising performances at the regional tournament. The tournament was introduced in 2007 as a launching pad for mostly home grown talent to showcase. Some countries have gone to the extent of giving younger players the chance to shine, ignoring the tried and tested members.
But the will to emerge victorious, over the desire to develop talent, has tempted many coaches in the region to summon their best talent. Zebras coach, Adel Amrouche has failed to resist the temptation of picking a strong side as his charges prepare for a trip to the coastal municipality of Nelson Mandela Bay.
With his contract expiring soon, Amrouche would want to go out with a bang, if he is not retained. The Zebras have often thrived in adversity, and it will not be too far-fetched to see them going all the way to a third final. The Zebras were drawn against traditional foes, South Africa, lightweights, Lesotho and eSwatini in what is a relatively easy group.
Despite most national team players being inactive, the Zebras have proved to be a tough nut to crack in recent COSAFA competitions. While they fared badly in the qualifiers, they would take heart from the margins of defeats.
Barring the 5-0 defeat at the hands of Algeria
In the last six years, the Zebras have twice come close to breaking their trophy duck, after reaching the finals of the COSAFA Cup in 2016 and 2019. With coach, Adel Amrouche picking a strong squad for the regional tournament, will the Zebras finally gallop across the line, asks Staff Writer,
in March, the Zebras have lost closely fought contests, including a 2-1 loss to Zambia and a 1-0 defeat to Zimbabwe. The only two coaches to reach the final of the COSAFA Cup are Peter Butler and Mogomotsi ‘Teenage’ Mpote. Butler was the first to get the side to the final in 2016 but was beaten 3-2 by a South African team fielding largely fringe players.
In 2019, Mpote also took a youthful side to the verge of glory but fell 1-0 to Zambia’s Chipolopolo. Odds appear heavily stacked against Amrouche’s side as there has been no competitive football for most local sides since March last year.
But that excuse cannot continue to hold as the team has been in camp and also involved in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in March.
There should be some match sharpness from some of the experienced members who ply their trade abroad. Amrouche has called the cream of local football including Mogakolodi ‘Tsotso’ Ngele, Mothusi ‘Mini’ Cooper, captain, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe and has the luxury of including Kabelo Seakanyeng and Tumisang Orebonye, both based in Morocco.
He has experienced local stars like Kabelo Dambe, Mosha Gaolaolwe and Onkabetse Mankgantai. Amrouche’s intentions are clear, amid reports the Botswana Football Association (BFA) would have preferred a junior side to take part.
In what is likely to be the Belgian’s swansong, Amrouche clearly does not want to take chances after his curriculum vitae was not done any favours by a difficult campaign in the World and Africa Cup qualifiers.