By Ntokozo Magongo
Botswana…………… (1) 2,
Sihlangu…………….. (0) 1,
Sihlangu have never won against the ‘Zebras’ in their past six meetings since 2021. The defeat comes after Sihlangu played to a goalless draw against fancied South Africa’s Bafana Bafana on Friday evening.
Botswana scored in either half of the game and the winning goal came in eight minutes from full-time through Lemogang Maswena. Botswana dominated the game as Sihlangu Coach Dominic Kunene started with a different team that played the goalless draw against Bafana Bafana.
Botswana took the lead in the first half, when the game was 27 minutes old through Tumisang Orebonye and the match went to a breather with the host enjoying the lead. Sihlangu then equalised four minutes from the hour mark courtesy of Neliso Myeni who scored his first goal for the national team on his debut.
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Sihlangu is preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers that will start next month. Sihlangu has been drawn in Group D where they face Cameroon Cape Verde, Angola, Libya, Eswatini and Mauritius.
The last meeting between Botswana and Sihlangu was on July 7, 2023, during the COSAFA Cup Group match in Durban, Botswana won 1-0. Sihlangu is expected back home on Tuesday, having left the country last Thursday.
Botswana: Goitseone Phoko, Motshaoletsi Sikele, Benson Kitso Mangolo, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Thatataone Dithokwe, Gape Edwin Mohutsiwa, Kutlwelo Mpolokang, Tumisang Orebonye, Gilbert Baruti, Segolame Boy and Thabang Sesinyi.
Sihlangu: Xolani Gama, Newman Philiso, Mpendulo Tfomo, Vusi Vilakati, Simanga Masangane, Ayanda Gadlela, Sizolwethu Shabalala, Mxolisi Manana, Mthokozisi Gwebu, Neliso Dlamini and Neliso Myeni.