Botswana are on the verge of making history
Continental stripes beckons for the Zebras
Posted: 2011-03-25 10:28
Botswana are on the verge of making history as they prepare to take on Chad on Saturday in a 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
The road to 2012 AFCON has certainly been a fairytale affair for Botswana and a win away to Chad in N'Djamena this weekend will propel 'The Zebras' towards their maiden AFCON appearance to be co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon early next year.
'The Zebras' go into this nail-biting encounter with well-earned stripes having won four matches, including beating Tunisia twice and drawn one so far and lead Group K with 13 points, six points clear of second-placed Tunisia. If Botswana beat Chad, they will virtually guarantee qualification as they will need a mere one point to qualify in their next two matches against Malawi at home and Togo away.
Speaking to KickOff.com from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where the team had been on camp since Tuesday, SuperSport United's utility man Mogogi Gabonamong says they are ready "for the game of their lives".
'Gino' says: "The game against Chad is probably the most crucial encounter we have ever played as Botswana so far. It is a must win for us and we have been working hard to make sure we come back home with the three points. We want it badly. It is every player's dream to play at the biggest continental showpiece and we are no different. We haven't qualified yet. A lot of hard work lies ahead. After the Chad game we still have two tough games with Malawi and Togo and I urge all Batswana to take it game at a time and continue to support us. They are very passionate about football and qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations would be a proud moment for every Motswana," he says.
Gabonamong and his Matsatsantsa teammate Dipsy Selolwane are certainly Botswana's most successful players. Their diligent performances have endeared them to millions of fans back home in Botswana soccer and now they are four points away from maintaining their status as cult heroes.
"We always gave our all but luck and inexperience used to cost us and we would get hammered. Now, unlike before, we are more physically and psychologically prepared. It's been a long journey but through perseverance and hard work, I can say we now have a balanced side that can compete with any nation. There is a lot of talent in Botswana and it just needs to be nurtured well," added Gabonamong.
Currently ranked 13th in Africa, Botswana left the Ethiopian capital for Chad on Thursday to put on the final touches to their preparations for their battle against 39th placed Chad.
Botswana's results so far in the qualifiers:
1/07/10: Tunisia 0 Botswana 1 (Ramatlhakwana)
9/07/10: Botswana 1 (Mongala) Chad 0
11/08/10: Malawi 1 Botswana 1 (Ramatlhakwana)
4/09/10: Botswana 2 (Ramatlhakwana, Mogorosi) Togo 1
17/11/10: Botswana 1 (Ramatlhakwana) Tunisia 0
: 2011-03-25 10:42
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