The team faces Morocco in an encounter that, if won, will qualify them for the World Cup next year.
Given the strenuous demands of leading the local football women team, both immediate and sustained success is an enormous challenge to overcome.
Gaoletlhoo Nkutlwisang, during her tenure as The Mares mentor, will surely attest to the rough terrain she has been through during her time at the helm of the side.
In football, the reality is that no manager ever ticks every box, Nkutlwisang certainly does not yet, but has so far done well to please even her biggest detractors. Nkutlwisang and her assistant, Alex Basimanebotlhe Malete must have had sleepless nights plotting a path to overcome the number one (1) ranked Falcons of Nigeria and third ranked Banyana Banyana.
The attempts however, did fall-short, losing 0-2 and 0-1 to both Nigeria and Banyana Banyana respectively, however saw The Mares advance into the quarter-finals as third best placed side in the tournament, having beaten Burundi with a 4-2 scoreline.
Later today (Wednesday), The Mares will be up against the tournament hosts, Morocco in the quarter-finals of the Total Energies Africa Women Cup of Nations (WAFCON), something which only a few could fathom leading into the competition.
Ronaldo as Nkutlwisang is commonly known, is optimistic that the team could pull off a miracle and upset the hosts in their own back-yard.
“We are meeting Morocco, yes they are the hosts and a strong opponent but we were in the group with top ranked sides in Nigeria and South Africa, these are two team with high quality and world class players. It is a different game against Morocco, we will have a different game plan and a different approach and we are looking forward to the match. We know very well that they are the hosts and their supporters will fill up the stadium; our players will have to show character,” Gaoletlhoo told Sun Sport.
Should they overcome Morocco, the local girls will advance to the semi-finals of the tournament and will automatically qualify for the Women World Cup which will be staged in Australia and New Zealand in 2023.
“Our players know and understand the importance of this match, where we are now (quarter-finals) is a big achievement for team Botswana but we want to do more. We will put more effort and try to stop them from playing their normal game; they keep a low-block and we keep a medium block so we will deploy the right tactics and personnel to try and get a good result. It was said we are one of the weakest teams coming into this tournament. We might pull off another surprise, and with better planning we can do much better than what we’ve shown so far,” the coach highlighted.
In their last encounter against South Africa, The Mares were without team captain, Bonang ‘Bebeto’ Otlhagile, who was nursing an injury.
The team was dealt another blow when Annah Sechane was carried off on a stretcher against South Africa, the team has already lost another defensive midfielder after Golebaone Selebatso reportedly fractured her arm in the defeat against Nigeria.
“Yes we are having a few injuries, Annah was struggling with a calf problem and she is currently being closely attended to; she has done recovery sessions, together with Otlhagile, so we’ll see how everything goes, Selebatso is still out,” the coach provided an update on the injury concerns within the squad.
Refilwe Thokalele scored a double against Burundi, and provided an assist, as the team looked the part in their maiden major tournament appearance, with full of attacking verve display.
The Township Rollers ladies team star striker was also included on the best XI group stages team of the tournament on Monday.
Mexican Girls’ Keitumetse Dithebe unleashed a fiercesome shot, finding the top right corner from the edge of the area in the 43rd minute to give Botswana their first goal of the tournament against Burundi.
Dithebe, who is currently the youngest player in the squad will be eager to once more impress, she was recently in France where several teams were looking to sign her.
Gaoletlhoo Nkutlwisang, during her tenure as The Mares mentor, will surely attest to the rough terrain she has been through during her time at the helm of the side.
In football, the reality is that no manager ever ticks every box, Nkutlwisang certainly does not yet, but has so far done well to please even her biggest detractors. Nkutlwisang and her assistant, Alex Basimanebotlhe Malete must have had sleepless nights plotting a path to overcome the number one (1) ranked Falcons of Nigeria and third ranked Banyana Banyana.
The attempts however, did fall-short, losing 0-2 and 0-1 to both Nigeria and Banyana Banyana respectively, however saw The Mares advance into the quarter-finals as third best placed side in the tournament, having beaten Burundi with a 4-2 scoreline.
Later today (Wednesday), The Mares will be up against the tournament hosts, Morocco in the quarter-finals of the Total Energies Africa Women Cup of Nations (WAFCON), something which only a few could fathom leading into the competition.
Ronaldo as Nkutlwisang is commonly known, is optimistic that the team could pull off a miracle and upset the hosts in their own back-yard.
“We are meeting Morocco, yes they are the hosts and a strong opponent but we were in the group with top ranked sides in Nigeria and South Africa, these are two team with high quality and world class players. It is a different game against Morocco, we will have a different game plan and a different approach and we are looking forward to the match. We know very well that they are the hosts and their supporters will fill up the stadium; our players will have to show character,” Gaoletlhoo told Sun Sport.
Should they overcome Morocco, the local girls will advance to the semi-finals of the tournament and will automatically qualify for the Women World Cup which will be staged in Australia and New Zealand in 2023.
“Our players know and understand the importance of this match, where we are now (quarter-finals) is a big achievement for team Botswana but we want to do more. We will put more effort and try to stop them from playing their normal game; they keep a low-block and we keep a medium block so we will deploy the right tactics and personnel to try and get a good result. It was said we are one of the weakest teams coming into this tournament. We might pull off another surprise, and with better planning we can do much better than what we’ve shown so far,” the coach highlighted.
In their last encounter against South Africa, The Mares were without team captain, Bonang ‘Bebeto’ Otlhagile, who was nursing an injury.
The team was dealt another blow when Annah Sechane was carried off on a stretcher against South Africa, the team has already lost another defensive midfielder after Golebaone Selebatso reportedly fractured her arm in the defeat against Nigeria.
“Yes we are having a few injuries, Annah was struggling with a calf problem and she is currently being closely attended to; she has done recovery sessions, together with Otlhagile, so we’ll see how everything goes, Selebatso is still out,” the coach provided an update on the injury concerns within the squad.
Refilwe Thokalele scored a double against Burundi, and provided an assist, as the team looked the part in their maiden major tournament appearance, with full of attacking verve display.
The Township Rollers ladies team star striker was also included on the best XI group stages team of the tournament on Monday.
Mexican Girls’ Keitumetse Dithebe unleashed a fiercesome shot, finding the top right corner from the edge of the area in the 43rd minute to give Botswana their first goal of the tournament against Burundi.
Dithebe, who is currently the youngest player in the squad will be eager to once more impress, she was recently in France where several teams were looking to sign her.
