AFCON 2012:Botswana hopes to extend fairytale run

BOTSWANA will debut at the Orange 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, but any team that takes The Zebras lightly will be doing so at its own peril.

It posted a very impressive run to qualify for the finals with a round of matches to spare from a five-team group that included Tunisia, Togo, Malawi and Chad. It was a feat that will earn it the CAF Team of 2011 Award ahead of star-studded Cote d'Ivoire, Tunisia and Niger.

“I am very happy. For the first time qualifying for the final tournament and at the same time being the first team to qualify and win this award,” a proud coach Stanley Tshosane said.

“It is a very great achievement, which will encourage us to work harder because now people are expecting more than this from us now. This was a team effort as we stuck together and have been rewarded as a team.”

Tshosane has transformed the team within three years but will have to wait till after the Cup of Nations for a new contract. The Zebras will open account in Group D against Ghana on January 24 in Franceville, Gabon, where they will be based.

They will be one of the most prepared teams for this tournament, as they have staged lengthy training camps in South Africa, Qatar and Cameroun. They also played several warm-up games, including pulling a goalless draw in Nigeria and also drawing 1-1 with Namibia. They were also held to a 0-0 draw by Zimbabwe at home.

First choice goalkeeper Modiri Marumo of Bay United in South Africa missed the early part of the build-up, but he has been picked in the final party. However, Tshosane has admitted fitness concerns over some of his foreign-based stars. Midfielder Dirang Moloi has been inactive as he wishes to quit former club in South Africa, Vasco da Gama, to Notwane in Botswana.

Star striker Jerome Ramatlhakwana has also seen very little action after he was frozen out at his South African club, Santos, over a contract dispute. Ramatlhakwana scored five goals in the qualifying tourney and was nominated for a CAF award for the past year.

“JJ has recovered really,” Tshosane commented on his strikers' match fitness. Now I can tell you that I am sure he is definitely 85-90 per cent ready. “I gave him a training programme he has been working on after I realised that he has lost some of his form even when we played Nigeria (in November).”

Veteran attacking midfielder Diphetogo Selolwane of SuperSport United is team skipper and will provide the needed experience at the Nations Cup for the debutants.

Story by Ghana/ Tony Bebli/ Joy Sports