Mapeza places bet on Zebras

The Zebras, who had a fairy tale run in the qualifiers, were given a reality check when they appeared ordinary in their last preparatory game against an under strength and hastily assembled Zimbabwe side at the University of Botswana last week.
The match ended goalless and, for a side that is heading for the big stage, coach Stanley Tshosane and his charges were left in deep soul searching.
But Mapeza, whose charges fell by the wayside in a campaign littered with a number of distractions, said Botswana are looking good although they need to improve on some areas, especially their finishing.
“I think they have a good side and we cannot judge them with this game (against the Warriors),” said Mapeza.
“It will be a different ballgame altogether at Afcon and if they can manage two draws and one win then they have a chance to progress to the next round.
“The friendly against Zimbabwe should not be the yardstick. They had their opportunities to score but were twice denied by (Washington) Arubi just before halftime break.
“They came back stronger in the second half but they could not convert the opportunities they got.”
The Zebras were drawn in Group D together with one of the tournament favourites Ghana, whom they meet in their opening game on 21 January .
West African sides Mali and Guinea complete the pool, which has been dubbed by some as the “Group of Death.”