Botswana thump Mauritius to reach quarter-finals

by Staff Reporter

Friday Jun 01, 2018. 19:38

Botswana thumped Mauritius 6-0 in their final 2018 COSAFA Cup Group B match at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa on Friday.

As a result, the Zebras finished at the top of Group B and they advanced to the quarter-finals where they will take on Zimbabwe on Sunday, while the Dodos are eliminated from the competition after finishing third on the table.

The Zebras of Botswana dominated the game from the start and they took an early just three minutes into the encounter.

Mauritius' Dodos failed to clear their lines and Onkabetse Makgantai pounced inside the box and he made it 1-0 to Botswana.

It was soon 2-0 to Botswana in the 16th minute when Karabo Phiri hit the back of the net to make it 2-0 with the Dodos defence exposed.

The Zebras piled pressure on the Dodos defence and Thatayaone Kgamanyane scored with a left-footed effort in the 20th minute to make it 3-0 to Botswana.

Mauritius could not cope with Botswana's pace and they conceded again four minutes before the half-hour mark.

Kabelo Seakanyeng pounced from close range and scored to make it 4-0 to Botswana after Mauritius had failed to clear their lines.

The score was 4-0 to Botswana at the interval following a first-half which was dominated by the Zebras.

Botswana continued their dominance after the restart as they extended their lead in the 55th minute.

Mauritius goalkeeper Jean Louis missed the ball from a corner and Botswana full-back Tshepo Maikano turned the ball home to make it 5-0.

The Dodos introduced Damien Balisson in the 63rd minute as they looked to pull one back.

However, the Zebras extended their lead seven minutes later and it was Makgantai, who hit the back of the net.

The 2016 COSAFA Cup Player of the Tournament grabbed his brace with a good finish to make it 6-0 to Botswana.

The Dodos pushed for a late consolation goal in the closing stages of the game, but the Zebras defence looked solid and organized.

Ultimately, Botswana ran out 6-0 winners over a hapless Mauritius side on the night.

Botswana (4) 6 (Makgantai 3', 70', Phiri 16', Kgamanyane 20', Seakanyang 26', Maikano 55')
Mauritius (0) 0

Botswana: Masule, Maikano, Phiri, Keredilwe, Seakanyeng, Modisaotsile (Mohutsiwa 63'), Makgantai, Kgamanyane, Modingwane, Masole (Kebue 73'), Ramoraka (Ditlhokwe 73').

Mauritius: Louis, Dorza , Speville, Francis (Ferre 76'), Langue, Jocely, Sophie, Tien Kee (Balisson 63'), Harel, Augustin, Jubeau.