Kutlo Motseta
2nd October 2024
Botswana hosted South Africa at the 58th Botswana Independence celebrations on Monday as stars from yesterday rolled back the years and entertained local crowds.
Botswana was led by Dipsey Selolwane, whilst South Africa was led by ‘Doctor’ Khumalo whose football wizadry will be fresh in the minds of many, having contributed to South Africa’s qualifying the for World Cup in 1998 during his highly illustrious career.
However, the night belonged to the hosts, as they triumphed 3-2 in a game which saw the players give their all and entertained the crowd.
The game started with a highly spirited Botswana team as they relentlessly applied pressure. Within the first 10 minutes Itumeleng Duiker received an assisting pass from Selolwane at the 18 area and placed Botswana on the scoresheet.
It was all Botswana for the first 20 minutes, before South Africa placed its first shot on target and immediately thereafter equalized through George Lebese.
South Africa took control of the game but there was controversy after a goal was initially allowed. The referee went to the VAR which revealed that the ball hadn’t entered outside the pole to the delight of the crowd.
However South Africa quickly replied as George Lebese struck from edge of the 18 area placing South Africa in the lead.
South African legend, Jerry ‘Legs of Thunder’ Skosana still looked fit at 55 years old but had to leave the field due to an injury. Bonang Mosetlha who is a legendary Botswana soccer player was the only female on the field and showed the flashes of brilliance that resulted in her name, ‘Bebeto’, after the Brazilian soccer legend.
South Africa seemed to have the game wrapped up but Botswana scored a brilliant goal to equalize in the last 5 minutes. The crowd was relieved and raised the roof with loud cheers for the equalizer, but the Botswana team was not done and upped the ante scoring moments later, whilst the crowd was still on its feet.
Doctor Khumalo said he is excited about the state of future of ‘Legends Football’, which consists of retired football stars and said that they are in the process of creating a Four Nations Cup next year.
Grateful to the efforts of Botswana in assisting South Africa to qualify for and win the African Cup of Nations World Cup in 1996, he said, “I will never forget our first game in Botswana. Our neighbors never hesitated to give us a friendly; this was the rebirth of soccer [following apartheid isolation]. I still have a soft spot for Botswana and believe that game shaped us to become the [1996 African Cup of Nations] champions.”
The police had their cut out for them as the spectators rushed on-field to congratulate the players. Mogogi Gabonamong, whose mesmerizing football is still fresh in the minds of the spectators, could not escape the excited crowds who were eager to take pictures gave them time to take pictures and was the last player to leave the pitch. He played for topflight teams in Botswana and South Africa namely Township Rollers and Supersport United respectively.
He is excited about the prospect of a Four Nations Cup and said, “It would be good thing to keep us busy some of us are moving away from football”. With regards to taking local football forward he said, “Most important thing in promoting soccer is money … Money attracts a lot of things.” (Soccer is one of the most profitable sporting codes in the world).
