Botswana off to a bright start in COSAFA Cup

Kabelo Seakanyeng of Botswana celebrates goal with teammates during the 2018 COSAFA match between Botswana and Angola at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane on 28 May 2018 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

by Staff Reporter

Monday May 28, 2018. 20:37

Botswana beat Angola 2-1 in their opening Group B match of the 2018 COSAFA Cup at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Monday evening.

This first victory for Botswana over the Angolans in the tournament takes them to the top of the table with three points from one match.

The Zebras started on the front foot and kept the Palancas Negras under pressure from the first whistle.

Following their efforts, they were awarded a penalty in the fourth minute and Kabelo Seakanyeng slotted it home to give Botswana the lead.

As they looked for their second goal, Kobamelo Kebaikanye unleashed a powerful left-footed shot at goal, but was unable to score as the Da Costa Barros keeper produced an equally good save in the 20th minute.

Major David Bright’s men continued to dominate and a defence splitting pass picked up Onkabetse Makgantai who side footed the ball into the empty net on the stroke of half time.

It was 2-0 to Botswana at half time.

The second half saw Botswana taking their foot off the pedal and Manha Kaporal pulled one back for Angola with an easy tap in to beat keeper Mwampole Masule in the 58th minute.

Both coaches, Srdan Vasiljevic and Bright, introduced changes after interval and Eric Molefi came close to netting their third goal when his thunderbolt sailed inches wide near the 80th minute.

Although Angola pushed for an equaliser, they could not break the opposition defence which was aerially superior and it ended 2-1 after 90 minutes.

The Zebras will be up against Malawi in their next match on Wednesday whilst Angola will tackle Mauritius on the same day.

Botswana: (2) 2 (Seakanyeng pen 5’, Makgantai 45’)
Angola: (0) 1 (Manha 58’)

Botswana: Masule, Kebue, Maikano, Keredilwe, Seakanyeng (Kgamanyane 77’), Modisaotsile, Mkgantai (Baruti 63’), Kebaikanye (Molefi 75’), Modingwane, Orebonye, Ramoraka

Angola: Barros, Mudile (Domingos’ 69’), Manha, Caetano, Cahoko, Tavares (Sacalumbo 46’), Macamo, Felix, Orlando (Camo 46’), Cafumana, Cunha