Region's bright talent provide hope for the future
Mqondisi Dube | Sunday December 8, 2013 20:37
The solid displays have left the region’s fans convinced the future is bright. Botswana fans will be delighted that their young heroes have not disappointed either.
A project which begun at Under-17 level with Kaizer Kobedi has quickly morphed into a class act with Mpho Kgaswane the conductor of the orchestra in a team that plays more in patches and with flashes of individual brilliance more than squad work.
Kgaswane was solid against Swaziland in the opening match, showing vision that can only be nurtured for future senior Zebras assignments. His pass that picked a galloping Unobatsha Mbaiwa for the opener rates among the finest in the tournament thus far.
Mbaiwa himself is on the lips of many here in Lesotho with scouts forced to revisit the team line-up to establish who the number 15 is. But unheralded Lebogang Ditsele was the bright spark in the middle of the park although he was surprisingly pulled out.
Goalkeeper Keeagile Kgosipula justified why he was ahead of tested Neo Kenalemang with assured glove work between the posts.
While Kgaswane and Mbaiwa are the most talked about Botswana acts among the local fans, Swaziland have their ace in Banele Sikhondze who plays for Premier League side, Mbabane Sundowns in his native land. Sikhondze and Ciniso Shabangu were a constant menace against the Young Zebras, in a game in which the Swazis were unlucky to lose. Angola held the Maseru crowd spellbound with a swashbuckling opening 45minutes on Wednesday against Madagascar. For years the bridesmaid of the junior regional tournament, Angola are eager to lay that ghost to rest with a first ever title. And there was no other player who personified Angola’s ambitions than Manuel Afonso. The tall number 10 slid through the Madagascar defence like a hot knife through butter. He was a constant menace down the wing, frequently cutting in and providing assists for equally dangerous Joao Oliviera. Afonso helped himself to a classy brace while Oliviera harvested the tournament’s first hat trick. The Angolan front line looked sharp and it will take some solid defending to prevent them claiming their first title.
The hosts, Lesotho, are a fine side despite failing to get past Comoros in the opener, played before a noisy crowd at the Setsoto Stadium in Maseru on Tuesday.
The junior Dikoena moved the ball around nicely curving the Comoros defence open on several occasions but that final touch was a big let down. At the end they had to settle for a 2-2 that leaves their chances of progressing to the semi-finals threadbare.
For Lesotho, Mohau Rammoneng has been the jewel in the crown. This year’s guests, Kenya, did not show any signs of fatigue on Wednesday as they smacked Mauritius 4-0 despite arriving on the eve of the match.
The Kenyans, who are expected to have a say in the title’s destination, are a physical side and did not break a sweat against a timid Mauritius.
Goeffrey Shiveka and Collins Shivaki were impressive for the East Africans. The only match that has failed to produce the required temperatures was the Zimbabwe against Swaziland tie. Zimbabwe laboured to a 2-1 victory, needing a last-minute goal from Teenage Radebe to eliminate the Swazis. The match was almost spoilt after Zimbabwean player, Praise Tonha, collapsed in a heap unchallenged in the centre of the pitch.
Quick intervention meant he was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance as panic set in. He was, however, said to be in a stable condition on Wednesday night, in what was suspected to be a heart problem. For Zimbabwe, Walter Musona, Kaizer Chiefs striker Knowledge’s young brother, is a marvel to watch.
South Africa, although among the favourites, do not play as a unit but have a gem in Siyanda Ngubo who grabbed a brace against Seychelles. Defending champions Zambia found the going tough against Namibia on Wednesday, settling for a 1-1 draw.
The youngsters have critically been finding the net with consummate ease, something that has haunted their senior counterparts particularly in continental and world competitions. So far, 25 goals have been scored in seven matches, a pleasing average of 3.5 goals per match. Only three sides, Swaziland (against Botswana), Mauritius and Seychelles failed to find the net.
The challenge now shifts to the region’s football administrators to ensure the young squads are kept intact until they graduate to senior level. Meanwhile, Botswana and Zimbabwe will progress from Group D and tomorrow’s encounter in Mafeteng will decide who finishes top. The winner of Group D will face number two in Group B, likely to be Mozambique while the second-placed side will most likely face Angola. The two winners will then proceed to meet Group A and Group C winners in the semi-finals. The final will be played on December 14 in Maseru. Results: (Tuesday) – Botswana 2 Swaziland 0, Lesotho 2 Comoros 2; (Wednesday) Kenya 4 Mauritius 0, Angola 5 Madagascar 1, Zimbabwe 2 Swaziland 1, South Africa 4 Seychelles 0, Zambia 1 Namibia 1.
Fixtures: (Today) Mozambique vs Madagascar (11:00 am), Lesotho vs Kenya (2:00 pm), Comoros vs Mauritius (4:30 pm) All games will be played in Mafeteng.
(Tomorrow) Botswana vs Zimbabwe (2:00 pm), Namibia vs Seychelles (4:30 pm) both in Mafeteng, Zambia vs South Africa (5:00 pm), Angola vs Mozambique (7:00 pm) both in Maseru.