Botswana do not just have the Cosafa Cup to play for‚ and their more esteemed neighbours South Africa to beat‚ in Saturday’s final in Windhoek (6pm SA time)‚ they also have a point to prove to their association back home too. The Zebras almost did not make it to the Cosafa Cup‚ such were the politics surrounding the team.Their coach‚ Peter Butler‚ arrived in Namibia claiming that the Botswana FA had not sanctioned the side’s participation in the tournament.But the government stepped in and said the country needed representation.The politics‚ apparently‚ stemmed from current elections for the FA’s presidency. Butler‚ nearing the end of his contract‚ has fallen out of favour for claiming his team never had support in the build-up to a crucial 2017 Africa Cup of Nations home qualifier against Uganda at the beginning of this month that Botswana lost 2-1.Yet the Zebras have appeared to grow in strength from their tribulations‚ reaching the Cosafa Cup final via spoiling the party for hosts Namibia in front of a packed Sam Nujoma Stadium on penalties in the quarterfinals.They then had easily the best chances but again had to rely on penalties to beat until-then impressive Democratic Republic of Congo in the semis. It makes them potentially dangerous and unpredictable opponents for South Africa.“Our hunger plays a large part. A lot of it will come down to desire – who wants it most‚” Butler said.“South Africa have got a young side‚ we’ve got a young side. They’ve got some technically good players.“I think it will be a good weekend. But I just think it’s a fitting final as well.“We could have been on nine points if we’d beaten Uganda (in 2017 Africa Cup of Nations home qualifier). And there’s no two ways we could have gone. We could have thrown our toys out the cot and cried. But we didn’t.“We said‚ ‘Listen‚ we’re going to come here and have a go. We’ve got a lot of new young players and a great bunch of lads.“They’re definitely going somewhere in the future‚ whether it’s with me or someone else.“And those people who have been trying to sabotage us‚ the bitterness‚ the haters‚ the jealousy‚ what it does is it actually feeds us.” Butler’s side consists of some players in their low 20s‚ led by a few veterans‚ including ex-Bloemfontein Celtic winger Joel Mogorosi.If PSL clubs in South Africa would like to scout a genuine attacking talent from the Cosafa Cup‚ then Onkabetse Makgantai‚ a lightning-quick‚ 20-year-old little winger with good control of the ball‚ fits the bill.Mogorosi said Botswana have a point to prove in the final.“I said to the players‚ ‘Boys let’s leave all this sh*t that’s happening at home behind us. Let’s go to Windhoek and play football’.“We are here‚ we’re enjoying the fresh air and playing the football.“We’re going to play South Africa. I wish we win the game. We’re not going to say anything to anyone when we go home. We’ll just keep quiet and look at them. Because we came here by ourselves‚ believing in ourselves.”South Africa – who have brought an Under-23 team to Cosafa in preparation for the Rio Olympics in August – might relish a stern test from Botswana.- TMG Digital..