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Mali beat Botswana

Eagles progress into the last eight

Posted: Feb 1 2012

A 2-1 victory over Group D whipping-boys Botswana was enough to see Mali progress to the knock-out stages of the Africa Cup of Nations.

A static first half was followed by a deft finish from Mogakolodi Ngele gave Stanley Tshosane’s side the lead before Garra Dembele and Seydou Keita scored vital goals to put their team into the quarter finals.

Mali went into the match knowing that they had to match or beat Guinea’s result against Ghana in the groups other clash, which eventually went on to be a draw.

The first half was characterised by great imagination, but poor execution from both sides.

Botswana had a string of chances before the break. Mogakolodi Ngele blasted a left-footed shot over from the edge of the area when he should have tested Oumar Sissoko in the Mali goal, before a Tshepo Motlhambankwe snap-shot from a poorly cleared corner went narrowly over a perturbed Sissoko’s goal.

The best chance of the match fell to Botswana defender Lemponye Tshireletso, who ran onto a neat back-heel from Ndiapo Letsholathebe, but was only able to scuff a poor effort wide of the goal.

Mali, however, were not without chances of their own. Modibo Maiga and Bakaye Traore took it in turns to send efforts narrowly over, before Dembele went on a great run down the left, before sending in a tantalising cross that evaded everyone in the Botswana boss.

Shortly after the break, the game got exactly what it needed. Moemedi Moatlhaping played the ball across the face of goal and Mogakolodi Ngele made a late run into the penalty are to send his nation in front with a slick left-footed finish into the corner.

Going behind only served to spring Mali into life. Minutes later, Abdou Traore crossed the ball to Bayake Traore at the far post. The 26-year-old forced a great save from Modiri Marumo, but the ball fell to Demble, who seized his opportunity to get his nation back on level terms.

From that point on it was all Mali. Dembele sent a hooked shot over the bar before Ousmane Coulibably went on a mazy run, only to send a toe-poke against the bar.

They finally went ahead when Seydou Keita played a clever one-two with Cheick Diabete, and placed a beautiful left-footed strike into the corner of the goal.

In the end, that was enough to ensure Mali's passage into the knock-out stages, where they will play Gabon.

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Fab : 2012-02-01 23:25

Zebras prfmd vry wel but the prblm was the goalkeeper(modiri marumo)he is too slow to attack the ball b4 the strikrs of oppst teams do,myb maposa would hav dn betr eish hard lak magents bt as u knw we botswana ar much betr than South Africa thy can tok as thy lyk bt thy wil stil knw the fct.

Slumber : 2012-02-01 23:31

All is well the mighty zebras...mare ke eng? Lets go bak 2 drawin table..coaching,recruitment,professionalism,transparency..ditlhare tse di sa ungwen a dikgaolwe...Marumo u seem not 2 care bout ur Territory!

The Ghost: 2012-02-02 00:34

I think it is below the belt to label Botswana as the group D 'whipping boys' when NOBODY said that about our own Bafana when they were knocked out of the AFCON in the first round without even winning a single game LET ALONE SCORE! We should applaud Botswana for the effort they put in and the experience they gained, quite gallant if you consider that they do not have a truly professional league to begin with.

ntwaetsilejunior: 2012-02-02 00:38

ah guys lets stop passing remarks to our neighbours..yes we lose the game its a fact so why to do with south africans..i mean why do we have to pass some childish remarks to them, guys lets stop it and concentrate on our way forward. yah its a fact s.a is more developed than us in terms of infrastructure or professionalism setup so why being jealous of them whereas we also benefit from those things..we have our own players plying their trade there, our team was there for afcon preparations..i mean why why doing this guys and i think this wont get us anyway if we continue..um a proud motswana!

Kabz: 2012-02-02 07:05

Ntwaetsilejunior o bua nnete hey, its time for Zebras to go back to the drawing board and fix their mistakes. e se kgale re tlabe re tshameka 2014 qualifications games mmogo.

And ya I would like to see Botswana again in 2013's edition in my country (Mzansi), I am damn sure that the stadiums will be more packed than E.Guinea and Gabon.

And Fab I think the keeper was exposed by Zebras defense mistakes.

drumzz: 2012-02-02 07:50

TSOTSO NGELE....ahh no! ha re bolaile the boy is gonna go places....yah we went, we lost ..we now have idea...see you all in 2013....zebras for life....24/7..anydaay!!!

Futbal fan: 2012-02-02 07:51

I must agree with my fellow Southern African folks that Botswana is amateurish & without being seen to be unpatriotic, we need to start blending fresh legs of the likes of Ngele and his U23 compariots. The other lot who seem to be over concerned with injuries that will prejudice their "proffessional careers" should be left to ply their trade where it matters most to them, they have really done their part.
While I very much pride my country with using a 100% technical team, our lack of AFCON matches temparament was very evident on our coach. He seemed to have been very concerned with reducing oppositions lead margins than to win matches.
As a parting short, we have learned our lessons & I think we have to build from here, let us avoid following the path of other 'footballing nations' that have been learning from ever since without graduating.
Good luck Zambia, we are all behind you guys!!!

roki: 2012-02-02 07:58

YOU KICKOFF YOU WRITE CRAP, AND **** ON YOURSELF, YOU ARE DISGUSTING AND VERY POOR REPORTER AND YET NO ONE CALL YOU A WHIPPING GIRL OR BOY. NOBODY FORCES YOU TO WRITE ABOUT THE ZEBRAS. I WISH YOU COULD WITHDRAW YOUR RUBBISH ARTICLE OR APOLOGIZE BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. YOU NEVER REPORT ANYTHING GOOD ABOUT THE ZEBRAS. YOU FAILED TO REPORT THAT THEY WERE THE AFRICAN TEAM OF THE YEAR!!!! SIS LEGOSHA KE WENA.

Mookamedi: 2012-02-02 08:04

o marete Son Mr Editor..........whipping boys o raya eng o polo!!

roki: 2012-02-02 08:10

YOU ARE SO UNPROFESSIONAL, AM READING YOUR **** FOR THE LAST TIME. WILL NEVER VISIT YOUR **** AGAIN, AT LEAST NOT IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

Mister not so nice guy: 2012-02-02 08:12

Botswana they used anti-football tactics, CAF should ban them for life!!!! They had nothing to loose but still played defensive football!!

KAY-P: 2012-02-02 08:14

Mogakolodi "TSOTSO" Ngele, what a boy! What a future star 4 the Zebras!I just like the way u pass the ball with that left foot, your off the ball moves are superb papa keep it up mi man.I hope very soon Township Rollers e tlaabo e ja sengwe,ga ke bone gore next season u wil still be playing here in Botswana.WITS UNIVERSITY or AJAX there is a boy 4 u,I know he enjoy playing along other young players.JOMO Moatlhaping once again big up 4 the massive impression not forgeting FC Tshireletso

mozebra: 2012-02-02 08:31

I am a number one fan and proud supporter of Zebras..win or loose....zebras for life. We are not confused and if you recall well, we have never changed coaches like underwears and that really worked well for us. We managed to qualify for AFCON fair and square. We have our own style of play and pple should back off and concentrate on their own national teams. Evryone love their countries and there are some pple who claim to be soccer fanatics who will always talk **** about other countries. South Africans, you are not better than other countries...pls, you should start respecting other pple. Bitterness wont take you anyway. Pple who post negative things about Zebras are not civilized pple and for yo country not to qualify is not anyone's fault...so pls, lets stop being childish and grow up. Mr editor, pls for a change, just write something that will not cause conflict between the 2 nations....pls.

Gekay: 2012-02-02 08:36

why are south africans have so much hate for Batswana, i think of all the neighbours thy only hate us. we never hear them saying anything bad about Lesotho or namibia or swaziland or other neighbours.i think thy have a big problem with Batswana. our football is not proffessional so we are learning, so instead of encouragement they beat us down, mare why. Batswana are not that bitter when a southern african country does something good we support, we supported their bafana ka world cup ene ele mo gabone, we even support their teams. a me a kalo.

Dodo: 2012-02-02 08:37

@Mister not so nice guy: Owaiii, the likes of you are lost. In football you play to your strength. Tseo tsa go tshameka in a certain way sometimes do not work. Mourhino is always accused of being anti-football but check his record, trophies after trophies. Wenger on the other hand plays beautiful football, but empty trophy cabinet. Italy and Germany have been accused of being anti-football, do you want me to remind you that the are amongst the most successful in the world cup. Beatiful football has earned Holland nothing!

dynamic: 2012-02-02 09:19

@Dodo
I like your comment.

Nastradamus Komoki: 2012-02-02 10:06

at south africans....talking is cheap.u ar gud at dat..lets wait for june 6, 2012...who will be the last man standing..thnks for zebras for making the 1st apperance at afcon...

Phillip Mhlanga: 2012-02-02 11:53

next time guys good luck

KRISPEN MAROI: 2012-02-02 12:32

Well done THE ZEBRAS i liked wht i saw yesterday....i hv also realised dat if ZEBRAS cn stik to defensiv play we wil make it to Brazil 2014...Bt Marumo shud hv done better especially wit da first goal. it time for Maposa or Dambe to take ova btwn da post...defensiv play all da way.. pheka BASE Tshosane...watch out every1......

Itunes22: 2012-02-02 12:45

You surely cant defend the pathetic perfomance by the Zebras by comparing it with the Germans & Italians way of play!Its a wrong comparison cause they have proved they can win at the big stage with their tactics,whereas the same can or will never happen to these Goat hearders.Yesterday's comentry on eurosport actually said that the two teams played low quality football of which i agree given that when any good team plays amatures,they are bound to play like one.You go on to brag about your team that qualified without a convincing number of goals scored throughout their campaign,if your team deserves really to stay in contetion,why is Tunisia who finished second in the same group with the Zebras,playing in the quarter finals whilst your useless boys are checking in at the airports!!Its very plain to see that the Zebras will go back & be whipping boys of African soccer & donate goals & points to other teams.

KJN: 2012-02-02 13:01

Well very proud to be a Motswana and Batswana not "Botswanan" as Sizwe Mabena (shame on you, as you are not African) calls us. But what really killed us is our defence not the goal keeper, Talk talk was the main culprit for 5 goals (against Guinea and Mali) For those who observe clearly and closely they will see that had not been our defence that fully exposed Modiri (though with his own weaknesses) we would have beaten Mali.

Guinea played high field pressure game and found us willing as we tried what we do not know best. Those were learning games as next time there will be no such fro both our players and tech team.

As for my grannys in SA, mind your language as it makes some of us want to spit on you, yet re le barwa mmogo. SA is where it is because of the whites and they should thank them for that. jealeusy won't take you anywhere and remember don't laugh at those along your way up as you will need and meet them on your way down. Bare o se bone nong go rakalala godimo goya tlase ke ga yone.

Sa went up unexpetadly in 2006 (suddenly they were world beaters andin heaven) only to slide downon an oily slide to reach "3 0 0 3 0 0" (sory I forgot their goals against) record under Ted. Botswana went in first time 2012 to reach "3 0 0 3 2 9 0".

As for those other guys who messed us by pulling out of tackles for fear of injuries, BFA should shoulder the blame as well. But anyway lesson learnt to be implemented.

As for Batswana you must learn to stick to our strengths before venturing, re ne re beile technical team under pressure to go all out forgetting that we don't have the material to play open game against a robust team like guinea. At least Mali allowed us to play, save for Talk talk's blunders.

Thank you Marks Maponyane for informed ****ysis. I agreed with you 100% coz I have coached netball and the same/similar tactics and lessons of marking are applied. Wish more Batswana could have heard you.

dynamic: 2012-02-02 13:06

You can easily tell that this writer was itching for Zebras to lose the game...Congratulations! He is very happy now.Wow! The 'Whipping Writers of KickOff Magazine'.

KJN: 2012-02-02 13:24

@Ituness22
You are a bitter soulless sightly disabled, to say the least. Where was Bafana Bafana, to show us how to play and score? Its was only by stroke of luck that you beat Egypt in the first game and later you were proved tactless through your " I am one of the best in Africa" coach. The best for 2011 went to Afcon and Senegal "whipping boys of Afco", Burkina Faso, Morroco, Guniea (with 6 million goals)all went back.

Only those who understand rules written in english (not Vhenda or Afrikaans - sorry to say this SA) went to Afcon. They did not dance to a fail.

Itunes22, how many goals did Spain (the world champions score on their way to lifting the cup? SA went out the cup as hosts (record breaking) in the group stages.

Its a fact that everybody must play to their strength just like SA did when they could only muster draws against Siera Leone and got beaten by Niger and dance to failing. Your drama queen, Itumeleng Khune even today cannot stand to face the nation after his prolonged misguided theatrics.

You know Itunes22, you amaze me because you are so dumb and naive. I always see you comments and you come across as some imbecile, who loves unloading before he loads (i.e. you talk before you think instead of the way around)

To be gentle with you sister/brother, look at your glass house before throwing stones. Roma was not built in one day and we did not inherit anything as Batswana (the same cannot be said by the black"white" South Africans, who got everything on a silver platter. Stadia and all facilities were the brains of the whites and this is proved by the current status.

e.g. I nearly lost my truck along Pilane-Madikwe to Obakeng village track (road) especially in the Limpopo province part of the road as compared to the North West part of it. Think of it!!!

MIKASA: 2012-02-02 13:49

Well done the mighty ZEBRAS,u played very well yesterday,u attacked,defended very well,AFCON 2013 and Brazil 2014 here we cum,SA bware,as for the editor we will see hu u will be calling the whipping boys after the SA VS ZEBRAS game,u tak 2 much,

Bbb: 2012-02-02 14:19

@KJN, what makes you think Itunes22 is south african. Dude use that grey matter between you ears. Not every comment here is from a south african, same as you commenting from Botswana.we know exactly what happened to BB so spare us.

Bbb: 2012-02-02 14:20

To all Batswana’s who are busy swearing at South Africans: what exactly did we do to u? Why is every time you lose a game you vent your frustrations at us?
Do you know that it’s not only South Africans that comment on this site? What makes you think that every negative comment is from a SOUTH AFRICAN? Instead of attacking him, you tell us “HOW WE INHERITED EVERYTHING FROM THE WHITES, AND HOW JELOUS WE ARE”. Come on gents ( even though you all behaving like women) use your common sense and if you really have to swear at us be creative those lines are outdated.
Let’s talk football here and not petty politics, if you feel the need to educate us about our history there are other sites for that.

Phantsha: 2012-02-02 18:00

@Bbb
We nevr take our frastrations out of u South Africans. Those hu comment negatively abt us identify thmselves as "proudly South African" thts hw we knw gore ke bomang. Mind ur language ntwana, phrases lyk "behave lyk women" reflect ***ism n im sure u dnt wnt 2 offend our mothers n sisters. wht makes Batswana speak abt hw u got all those facilities is coz u r braggin le re u r bettr thn every1 else.Can u ppl stick 2 football matters and leave out evrythn else. Note tht Batswana are nt talkn abt all South Africans bt abt a few hu post annoyn comments abt our beloved country. in the spirit of fairness just read the whole story n then read comments o tlaa bona gore SA media n sum stupid so called futbol fans attack us. i cnt deny tht we sumtyms attack u guys but tota re a bo re ipusolosetsa.

@Itunes
Wena u r mad, i suggest u go 2 a psychiatriac hospital b4 its 2 late.

@Mr Not so Nice guy
i suggest u change ur name 2 Mr So Foolish. hw cn u say CAf shud suspend us? do u evn knw hw 2 read? if yes read CAF's play rules n regulations. i doubt u r a futbol follower, if u r, thn o seso

Itunes22: 2012-02-02 18:20

@KJN;
You silly maggot,you claim to read everything i post on KO but you skip the part that says im not South African,what a retard you must be.You have exposed your stupidity by guessing wrong & attacking South Africans,where as its your maggot infested brains that rushes to conclude wrongly that im South African.You definately did not understand the basic english that i wrote earlier,so in that case im not going to be your teacher coz you got thick brains.75% of the crap you wrote is just your slow brains at work so i will let the people at which it refers to respond.I still think your pathetic Zebras played crap,no amount of insults will deter me to call a spade a spade!U DIG SILLY?

Bbb: 2012-02-02 19:19

@panstha, show me one comment where a "proudly south african" is bragging here, maybe I cannot read.dis article is abt botswana n mali n first person to comment here wrote kak abt sa n u come here and blame SAn's. Deal with your own inserities n leave us alone. I read kickoff everyday I know what m talking about. Ituness22 clearly stated dat he is not a SAn's but u and your brothers are busy vomiting kaka about sa.U must learn to read plz.

mahalapye: 2012-02-02 23:51

i love bafana bafana so u know our team is ****,losers,hopeless with bunch of useless athletes so cant compare those minors with the mighty bafana.any insults must face me not south africans and i will never like the zebras.bafana bafana is like a religion to me so it hurts most when people talk bull about my team.bafana number one fan in Botswana.football is suppose to unite people not to bring conflicts no wounder why we lost all the games.bafana will rise and you will keep on falling and i think you south africans you are wasting your energy by trying to support and help people who never appreciate..as a bafana number one fan i would rather argue with a spanish,brazillian,english,french,dutch,nigerian,cameroonian than with armatures cause you have tested your strength against them...this people think qualifying once makes them think they are the world beaters..bafana international number one fan from Manchester England/ke motswana from bots..dont care what you guys say but to me your team is like an english non league team.

Mister not so nice guy: 2012-02-03 10:56

Itunes22: 2012-02-02 18:20


ha ha ha!! very funny...ha ha ha

Phantsha: 2012-02-04 12:42

@Bbb
o seka wa batla go mpuisa makgakga seso ke wena.im highly educated 4 ur own info, dnt try 2 teach me hw 2 read u ignorant SAn. u ddnt read article ya bots vs guinea, thts y o sa itse gore ur silly ppl wrote proudly SA or whtevr **** they col thmselvs. the ppl hu commentd on tht 1 r the same ppl commentn here, i knw wht im talkn abt. i refer u 2 it, e batle o bone.Did i deny tht we attack u sumtyms? ga ke are u do the same? in one of my posts i clearly stated tht im talkn 2 ppl hu write crap abt us n nt all SAns. if ur nt writing anythn bad knw tht IM NT TALKIN TO U n juz shut up