Drawing level with Egypt ended the home team’s 12-game winning streak and booked the second-ever AFCON berth for the Zebras, BONGANI MALUNGA reports
The Botswana senior national men’s football team has qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament after securing a much-needed draw against Egypt on Tuesday evening.
The Zebras and Egypt played to a 1-1 draw at Cairo International Stadium, ensuring the teams finished first and second respectively in Group C of the AFCON 2025 Qualifiers.
The draw ended a 12-game winning sequence for the Pharaohs on their home turf.
That rebounded header
Morena Ramoreboli’s charges got off to the best possible start with an early goal from Jwaneng Galaxy striker Omaatla Kebatho in the eighth minute.
Kebatho attempted to feed the ball to his fellow attackers but his effort was intercepted and the ball found its way back to him.
Whereupon he took advantage of a lapse in concentration in the Egyptian box to score a rebounded header as he ghosted in unmarked.
Short-lived jubilation
But Botswana’s jubilation was short-lived as Egyptian midfielder Mahmoud Trezeguet soon equalised for the home side with a long-range effort.
The former Aston Villa player rifled in a long -range effort that beat Zebras goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko at his near post.
The teams went to half-time with the score level at a goal apiece. Ramoreboli then took a huge tactical gamble by taking off his goal scorer Kebatho for the industrious Thabang Sesinyi.
Defensive approach
As a result of the half-time change, the Zebras adopted a defensive approach and fought hard to keep the score level. They ultimately held on to record an important draw that will see the team competing in the AFCON tournament in Morocco next year (December).
Ramoreboli’s side has now qualified for the AFCON competition for only the second time in the team’s history. The team’s qualification has ended a 12-year wait to qualify for another senior continental tournament.
Prior to the current team’s heroics, a Stanley Tshosane-led team reached the 2012 edition of the competition.
Maghreb teaser settled
Ramoreboli, a South African national, has created history as the first foreign coach to lead the Zebras to a continental competition.
Botswana finished the qualification group stage with eight points, only one point above third-placed Mauritania.
The Maghreb nation presented a threat to Zebras’ qualification hopes as they had a better head-to-head record compared to the Zebras, had both sides finished on equal points.