Mares eyes World Cup

Botswana’s Women’s National Football Team, The Mares, have set their sights firmly on qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup as they gear up for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), set to take place in Morocco.At the Botswana Football Association (BFA) stakeholders’ engagement event held on Tuesday, The Mares head coach, Alex Malete confidently outlined the team’s ambitious goal: reaching the knockout stages of the 2024 WAFCON. Achieving that feat will not only mark a new milestone in Botswana football journey but will also secure automatic qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, which will be hosted by Brazil.“Our goal is very clear,” said Malete during his media briefing on the sidelines of the event. “We are targeting to reach the knockout rounds. That is the minimum standard we have set for ourselves, building on our historic achievement in our last WAFCON appearance.”Malete highlighted that preparations for this year’s campaign have been thorough and well-structured, beginning immediately after Botswana secured qualification for the tournament back in December. According to the coach, The Mares are among the most active teams heading into WAFCON.“We have played 10 friendly matches, both locally and internationally. In fact, among all the teams going to Morocco, we rank second in terms of activeness,” Malete stated.Some of the opponents Botswana faced in recent months include Russia—ranked 24th in the world at the time—and African powerhouses such as Morocco, Tunisia, and Mali, all of whom are among the top 10 teams in Africa, according to FIFA rankings.“These were quality opponents, and every game we’ve played—whether a win or a loss—has offered valuable lessons,” Malete added. “We are using each experience to grow. Setbacks are not defeats; they are data points for reflection and improvement.”The team is set to enter its final training camp on Wednesday, with upcoming friendlies against defending champions South Africa and Zambia, both of whom represented Africa at the 2023 World Cup. These matches are expected to provide the squad with a final high-level test before the tournament kicks off.The Mares will depart early for Morocco on June 16, where they will engage in another preparatory friendly match against the host nation.Despite the challenges and lack of silverware, Malete believes in the strength and spirit of his team. “We don’t have a trophy yet, but we have belief and that is the foundation of all great stories,” he said. “We are asking the nation to walk with us. Support us in our victories, stand with us through our losses. Something special is brewing.”The Mares made headlines with their remarkable run in their debut WAFCON appearance, reaching the knockout stages against the odds. That legacy has now become the benchmark and the team is determined to build on it.The Mares will kick off their WAFCON campaign with a high-stakes opening match against Algeria, a team known for its physical and tactical style of play. This clash is expected to set the tone for the rest of the group stage.Following the Algeria match, the Mares will take on Ghana, a continental powerhouse with multiple WAFCON appearances and a strong international record. This fixture promises to be a major test of Botswana’s progress and ambitions.They will conclude their group stage campaign with a crucial encounter against Burkina Faso, a rising side in African women’s football.Advancing to the knockout stages will require Botswana to finish among the top two in their group or as one of the best third-placed teams. With their current form and confidence, The Mares believe they are ready to rise to the occasion.

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Mares eyes World Cup