OPINION:BOTSWANA NEEDS ATTACK IN AFCON QUALIFIERS

Following their 1-0 triumph over Zambia at Obed Chilume Stadium last night in  Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, the Zebras’ play was not an eye-catching one amid the win.

The team lacked forward players to put pressure on Zambia’s defense and a playmaker to make the team play and to put them in shape.

The Zebras forward players did not put pressure on their opponents which allowed them to restart the balls from the back.

This led to Chipolopolo manipulating them in the middle and being able to pass through them in the middle field which was already exposed because they were just marking rather than creating chances.

Not being able to put more pressure on their opponents forced their defensive area to be more overcrowded as Zambia was coming to them easily.

Ambrouche’s side did not play for the whole 90 minutes and they were just lucky to find an early goal that earned them a victory. The team was not able to play because they were no link from the middle field to maintain the shape.

Despite that, the defense played very well as they were more organized and ensured that Zambia does not find any goal scoring opportunity.

The 4-4-2 approach was also not the ideal one as the coach played two slow players upfront and two players in the middle field which exposed the team in the middle.

The likes of Joel Mogorosi and Ofentse Nato are needed in the squad. Looking at Mogorosi, he has pace and he is a great goal poacher who defenders cannot rest when in the field and Nato, on the other hand, is good at giving the team shape from middlefield and his experience can add value to the squad.

There is still a chance for the Zebras to qualify for AFCON and they can achieve that if they can pay attention to the striking force and the middle field position.

Now the reigning African Champions, Algeria is on top of the group with 10 points, Zimbabwe in the second with five followed by Botswana with four points, and Zambia at the bottom with only three points.

Botswana can still qualify for the Cameroon AFCON edition if winning is the only thing on their minds.

BY: Katlego Mechedi

BA(HONS)Broadcasting and Journalism