Zebras and Bafana Bafana in the same group for World Cup qualifiers, Brazil

Botswana Football Team( Zebras)

The Zebras of Botswana has qualified for Orange African Cup of Nation 2012 for the first time this year and they have again found themselves in the easiest ever group for the Brazil 2014 World Cup.

Botswana has in the past being drawn with Africa’s power houses like, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco for the World Cup qualifiers.

The Zebras were drawn in Group A against South Africa, Central African Republic and the winner of the Somalia/Ethiopia clash in the 2014 World Cup qualifying draw.

It is expected that the competition in this group be between Botswana and its rivals South Africa, the last encounter between this two was won by Botswana in a penalty shoot-out in a COSAFA Tournament in Gaborone where the Zebras reached COSAFA semi finals for the first time in 2006.

On paper it looks as a walk over group for South Africa, but they will have to beat Botswana first if they are to go to the play offs round and Botswana should also do the same if they are to go to the next round of the World Cup qualifiers.

The encounter between these nations should be an exhibition of the development progress of football in Southern Africa; some even call it a ‘local derby’. What will even make it interesting is that there are a number of Botswana players playing their trade in South African League, something which was not the case back then.

It could be an embarrassment for South Africa if they do not qualify at the hands of the Zebras, while on the other hand it could be a major step up and a real turning point for Botswana football if they qualify for the World Cup.

It should be stated that wining the group does not automatically qualifies a team to the World Cup, all the winners of the ten groups will then proceed to the next round.

Round Three

‘+The ten group winners from Round Two will contest Round Three.

 +The ten teams will be paired into five home-and-away series.

 +The matches are foreseen to be played in the periods 11-15 October and 15-19 November 2013.

+The five teams that win their respective series qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup’ (FIFA.com)

If Zebras win the group, their possible opponent could be Africa’s top teams like Tunisia, Cote d'Ivoire, Morocco, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Cameroon,  and Senegal.

Good Luck Tshosane and your troops+++Zebras+++Good Luck Mosimane and your boys-Bafana Bafana.

Bakang Pesi Pesi