02 Jun 2022

Botswana senior national football team began its AFCON 2023 journey with a 0-1 loss to Libya on Wednesday.

However, the Zebras will have no time to lick the wounds and mourn the loss because they have to be ready for Tunisia, which they host in Francistown on Sunday.

The loss in Bengazi was courtesy of a strike from Saleh Al Taher, who pounced on a rebound after Goitseone Phoko had parried a penalty shot.

Mogomotsi ‘Teenage’ Mpote’s charges sat back in the first half thus allowing the Mediterranean Knights of Libya to enjoy ball possession. 

 The Zebras had a good defensive shape, working hard with their off the ball movement to deny Libya attacking space.

The Zebras were slow in transition play resulting in wing players such as Kabelo Seakanyeng not being fully utilised.  

Mothusi Cooper’s speculative attempt that went just over the Libyan goalposts was the only serious Zebras attempt in the first half.

Libya took the lead just eight minutes into the second half.  Thato Kebue, who was deployed in a right-back position, struggled to deal with Libyan forward, Hamodou Elhouni.

Following one of their duels that started outside the box, Elhouni went down within the box due to the impact of Kebue’s challenge. A penalty was awarded to Libya, and their captain Sanad Al Warfali took the spot-kick, saved by Phoko who punched the ball sideways before Al Taher struck the rebound from a difficult side angle to give hosts the lead. 

The Zebras then got out of their shell and played a bit more enterprising football in search of an equaliser.

Mpote rung the changes, bringing in Thero Setsile, Thatayaone Kgamanyane and Mpho Kgaswane for Thabang Sesinyi, Gofaone Mabaya and Seakanyeng. 

Lebogang Ditsile and the effervescent Cooper looked comfortable on the ball as the Zebras started looking for attacking space.  The few chances that Botswana carved out saw Libyan goalkeeper Muad Allafi equal to the task.

Botswana is in Group J with Tunisia, Libya and Equatorial Guinea. ENDS