24 Jul 2022

 Botswana and eSwatini senior football teams played to a goalless draw in an African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2023 qualifier at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown on Saturday.

The duo will meet in the second leg  scheduled for South Africa on July 26.  

The Zebras coach, Mogomotsi Mpote, is cognizant of the fact that only a win in the next game will take them through to the next stage of the qualifiers.

In Francistown, eSwatini came with guns blazing, attacking Botswana from all angles, but Goitseone Phoko was outstanding between the goal posts.

His timing was on point and he denied visitors at least four scoring opportunities.

The Zebras too had a number of chances to score, but failed to convert. 

In an interview, Mpote gave credit to eSwatini, whom he said were a better side.

He said eSwatini gave his boys a tough time. 

However, Mpote added ‘I am happy with the performance of my boys because they did well. eSwatini had more chances than us, it shows how prepared they were,” he said.

For his part, eSwatini coach, Dominic Kunene, said a point away from home was welcome, adding his team was lucky not too have been punished for its mistakes. 

“In football if you get chances and you do not take them you get punished. I am very happy at the way we handled the game,” he said.

Kunene said they re-established their lines of defending and managed to protect their goal keeper.

The winner of the second game will progress to play against either Madagascar or Seychelles. Ends