Morapedi optimistic despite crushing defeat

Mqondisi Dube | Monday December 9, 2013 16:03

 

Morapedi's charges did not turn up for the match and the Young Warriors obliged with a merciless heavy defeat. Despite the loss, Botswana progresses to the next stage to face one of the tournament's favourites, Angola. On Saturday, only goalkeeper, Keeagile Kgosipula turned up for the match as the rest froze in fluctuating temperatures on a bumpy pitch. Zimbabwe maintained a tight grip throughout the proceedings and never allowed Botswana to come out of their shells.

Winger, Carlos Rusere, gave Zimbabwe a deserved lead in the 30th minute, when he was given the freedom of Mafeteng Stadium by an off-duty Young Zebras defence. Rusere had all the time to turn and smash past Kgosipula before the Zimbabweans spurned a host of chances to extend their lead.

Botswana went to the breather just a goal down despite a relentless Zimbabwe frequenting their goal area. However, in the 56th minute, the Young Zebras went further behind when Liberty Chakoroma rose unchallenged to plant a firm header in the net. The Zebras were reeling and failed to provide any meaningful answers as the demolition job continued unabated. The best player on view, Walter Musona, young brother to Kaizer Chiefs' striker, Knowledge, piled on the misery with a beautiful strike from a set piece in the 66th minute. Zimbabwe refused to loosen their stranglehold despite the mangled wreckage before their eyes and kept pressing for a fourth, which did not come. Morapedi told The Monitor Sport that despite the defeat their objective remains intact.

'Zimbabwe did not play well against Swaziland, but turned it around today, so we cannot just give up because of one bad result. Today we did not play, not a single player came to the party,' admitted Morapedi.

'We tried our best, but you could see that Zimbabwe wanted the top spot more than us. This loss was a wake up call and the attitude has to change.'

He has vowed to better the previous best of third place finish in 2009 and 2011.

However, on the evidence the youngsters provided on Saturday that appears a mammoth task, particularly that their next assignment is against a belligerent Angola. The two play on Tuesday. Meanwhile, defending champions, Zambia crashed out of the competition after a 1-0 loss to South Africa.