Gaolaolwe fires Botswana past Zambia

by Staff Reporter

Monday Nov 16, 2020. 20:05

Botswana defeated Zambia 1-0 in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown on Monday night.

The result saw the Zebras move up to the third spot on the Group H table, while Chipolopolo moved down to fourth place on the standings.

The Zebras got off to the perfect start as they broke the deadlock just six minutes into the match after the Chipolopolo defence was exposed.

Kabelo Seakanyeng played a cross into the box and Mosha Gaolaolwe tapped the ball home to make it 1-0 to Botswana with the visitors having failed to clear their lines.

Zambia then took control of the match with Enock Mwepu pulling the strings in midfield, but the 2012 AFCON champions were unable to penetrate Botswana’s defence.

Chipolopolo’s defence were struggling to deal with long balls and crosses which were played into their box by the likes of Mogakolodi Ngele and Seakanyeng.

Sebastian Mwange, the Zambia goalkeeper, had to pull off a decent save from Tumisang Orebonye’s header as the hosts looked to double their lead.

It should have been 2-0 to Botswana when Seakanyeng was sent through on goal, but the speedy winger’s effort hit the upright from a one-on-one situation with Mwange.

The score was 1-0 to Botswana during the half-time break.

Attack-minded duo of Justin Shonga and Ghampani Lungu were introduced by Zambia coach Milutin Sredojevic as the visitors looked to level matters.

However, Sredojevic’s men found it difficult to penetrate Botswana’s defence which was marshalled by SuperSport United defender Thatayaone Ditlhokwe.

They visitors came close to conceding when an unmarked Gaolaolwe, who was looking to grab a brace, placed his effort just over the crossbar.

Zambia also had a chance to restore parity in the closing stages of the match, but substitute Emmanuel Chabula placed his header wide of the target.

Botswana then stood firm at the back in the dying minutes of the match and ultimately they secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Zambia.

Botswana (1) 1 (Gaolaolwe 6′)

Zambia (0) 0

Botswana: Dambe, Ditlhokwe (Ratanang 69′), Gaolaolwe, Mathumo, Gaogangwe, Seakanyeng, Ngele (Kgamanyane 87′), Kebaikanye (Molebatsi 72′), Maikano, Cooper, Orebonye.

Zambia: Mwange, Chiboni (Lungu 46′), Banda, Mwape, Chilongoshi, L.Musonda (Chabula 63′), Sikombe (Musakanya 76′), Mwepu, Kapumbu (Kampamba 62′), K.Kangwa (Shonga 46′), Sakala.