John Ndlovu
The underdog or small boy tag is fast eroding the big boys tag in the world of football
Morocco came with tails up after dumping seasoned countries of Spain and Portugal from the recently ended world cup only for the tails to be brought down between their legs by the minnows South Africa in the AFCON 2024 Qualifiers.
Cameroon whose moniker is indomitable lions had dispatched the Samba Boys of Brazil 1-0 in the same world cup. It had never been heard of that a team from Africa could upstage a team of Brazil’s pedigree.
The so called minnows in African football, the likes Sierra Leone, Namibia and Botswana have now become a thorn in the flesh to continental giants witnessed by the recent twist and turns in the qualifiers for African Cup of Nations.
The Brave Warriors of Namibia dispatched the star-studded Cameroon Football team 2-1 in Windhoek on the 28th of March 2023 in the current qualifiers of the Africa Cup of Nations. Before then the Brave Warriors had frustrated the indomitable lions to a 1-all draw in the reverse fixture in Yaounde, Cameroon.
Renowned Atlas Lions of Morocco who had a dance at the world stage, dispatching Spain and Portugal were brought down to earth by emerging Southern Africa powerhouse Bafana Bafana of South Africa at a packed FNB Stadium in same AFCON qualifiers. The Moroccans were beaten 2-1.
The Zebras of Botswana brushed aside the underdog tag and outclassed the much fancied Libya 1-0 in their group of the AFCON qualifiers.
Chipolopolo of Zambia were the biggest celebrants as they plucked the trunks of Cote d’voire ‘s Elephants 3-0. Giving a full bloom to COSAFA Nations.