The Botswana Football Association will stand the opportunity to test the management of their administration throughout the tournament in Gabon and in Equatorial Guinea. The country’s national team is currently 95th in the world. Botswana is captained by 31-year-old Mompati Thuma and led by coach Stanley Tshosane.
The 2012 AFCON is a dream come true
The title of this article may suggest that Botswana have a history in the Africa Cup of Nations. The reality, however, is the other way around. From the first edition of the continent’s most prestigious championship in 1957 to 1992, Botswana didn’t stand the chance of entering.
Things later changed and the Zebras got the right to contest in qualifying matches. However, the poor caliber of the team forced the population’s soccer fans to get used to failure. Botswana had no luck between 1994 and 2010. The finally seized their moment with impressive results during the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Botswana’s 2012 African Cup of Nations qualification campaign in brief
Minnows Botswana fell in Pot 3 ahead of the draw for the qualifiers. They got Tunisia, Malawai, Togo and Chad in Group K and started the journey brightly.
At the Stade El Menzah in Tunis, the Zebras shocked the hosts with a 1-0 victory, courtesy Ramatlhakwane. They imposed themselves with the same result at home to Chad. This time, Mongalo got the goal.
Ramatlhakwane netted his third strike of the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifiers in Gabo
rone to down Togo 2-1. Before this game, the Vasco de Gama forward put his name on the scoring sheet in a 1-1 draw away to Malawi.
The Zebras completed the double against Tunisia on November 17. Once again, Ramatlhakwane was the hero. His 45th minute strike proved to be the difference at the University of Botswana Stadium. Chad also fell against his talismanic influence in what proved to be the Zebras’ last qualification match win.
Malawi held Botswana to a draw on June 5 last year before Togo recorded a meaningless 1-0 win in Lome. This defeat at the Stade de Kegue did not prevent the Zebras from finishing the 2012 AFCON qualifiers as Group K leaders with 17 points, 3 above runners-up Tunisia.
Botswana at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations
It could mean suicide for Botswana should they lose Ramatlhakwane. The striker has clearly transformed himself into the Zebras’ leader without carrying the armband. With luck, Botswana may punish other participants at the 2012 AFCON for portraying them as minnows.
Mali, Guinea and 2010 Africa Cup of Nations runners-up Ghana are all in Group D with Botswana. Will these contenders make mincemeat of the Zebras?
Botswana's 2012 AFCON squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Kabelo Dambe, Noah Maposa, Modiri Marumo
Defenders: Monametsi Kelebale, Ndiyapo Letsholathebe, Tshepo Motlhabankwe Mochudi, Musa Ohilwe, Mosimanegape, Mompathi Thuma
Midfielders: Mogogi Gabonamong, Boitumelo Mafoko, Joel Mogorosi Mochudi, Pontsho Moloi, Phenyo Mongala, Patrick Motsepe, Ofentse Nato, Mogakolodi Ngele, Othusitse Pilane, Tshireletso
Forwards: Moemedi Moatlhaping, Jerome Ramatlhakwane, Diphetogo Selolwane, Onalethata Tshekiso
Read next team profile - Burkina Faso.
