08 Mar 2022

It seems the Zebras and Mares have something in common. While the Zebras made their maiden appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Equatorial Guinea in 2012, The Mares will do it a decade later by qualifying for the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) billed for Morocco. There is a pattern with the two teams in that the last numeral two in 2012 and 2022 is the common denominator.Thus, by qualifying for such prestigious continental showpiece, coach Gaoletlhoo ‘Ronaldo’ Nkutwisang and her team have once again rekindled the mood that Batswana exuded a decade ago and the country is poised for yet another football frenzy.

 

BOPA reporter, Anastacia Sibanda caught up with former Zebras coach, Stanley Tshosane to share notes on what Nkutwisang should do to stay on course.  

 

BOPA: Good morning coach, long time!

Tshosane: Hello Anastacia, it is always nice catching up with you, but first let me congratulate coach Gaoletlhoo Nkutwisang and her team on this historic qualification.

BOPA: Coach, now that they have qualified, what tips can you give them since you have been there.

Tshosane: Ok, let me first address this issue, the Zebras that qualified only had Batswana in the technical team. I see the same trend with the Mares. Their technical team is made up of Batswana only.

BOPA: What are you saying coach?

Tshosane: All I’m saying is that let’s introspect as a country. That alone will tell you that there’s something special that Batswana coaches and their technical teams are doing.

BOPA: Ok coach I hear you…

Tshosane: Going back to the women’s team… I am one of the people who were there when the team was formed at Botswana Football Association. It was heart-breaking. Ronaldo (Nkutwisang) and those she worked with, were very committed. Some people even called her names, but she was unshaken. She had faith in her team. Look now, I am happy they have defied all odds and qualified.

BOPA: Go on coach…

Tshosane: Now that she has qualified, she is entering a critical and gruelling stage, full of hurdles.

BOPA: O a ntshosa coach…

Tshosane: There is nothing to fear, Ronaldo and her technical team should sit down with BFA and set a roadmap to prepare the team.

BOPA: Sounds like a good idea. In fact they should not wait for BFA to call them, they should initiate the talks…

Tshosane: Yes! First they need good preparations because they are going there to compete. The team should be called for camp as soon as possible. July is just here. There is no time. 

BOPA: You mean like today?

Tshosane: Yes, they also need a technical group that will help them with a solid plan and draw a roadmap to the finals. The roadmap should provide for an advanced party that will inspect facilities, accommodation and training grounds, amongst other things.

BOPA: Ok

Tshosane: The technical team should also be sent on fact finding mission to other countries that qualified to dig out information on issues such as styles of play. We can tap into our embassies in those countries to help us get the information we require. In 2012, we did a lot of work in that regard.

BOPA: Including spying on other teams, right?

Tshosane: Yes, we never slept. We spent most of our time analysing teams’ videos. Back to the technical group I spoke about earlier on, they will compile information and discuss it with the technical team.

BOPA: Let’s talk about the role of BFA in preparing the team

Tshosane: The association should help with training camps and organise some international friendly games with strong teams. While we are there, let me take this opportunity to thank former BFA president, David Fani and his committee, our preparations were spot on and of high standards. We played our friendly games with tough opponents.

BOPA: Continue coach, I don’t want to interrupt you.

Tshosane: Thank you. After the release of fixtures, they should organise friendly games along those lines. They should also fly to Morocco earlier, so that they acclimatise as well as find a suitable ground. Of course, they should do all these with recommendations from the advance party.

BOPA: Given your experience what should we change in this team?

Tshosane: After studying their opponents, they should not make wholesale changes in style of play. You see, I recall this contributed immensely to our loss at the hands of Equatorial Guinea. The thing is, we saw them playing against Mali and thought they were soft. We then changed our line-up and style of play only to be punished severely. So if The Mares want to make some changes they must start now.

BOPA: Go on…

Tshosane: They are going to meet rough opponents and those that will intimidate them. All these things should be addressed on time, and our players should be mentally strong.

BOPA: Talking about strong mentality, what qualities do The Mares possess or lack?

Tshosane:Well, I will talk to Ronaldo, but what I have picked is that they get disgruntled when they trail. They must work on that aspect.

BOPA: One final question, who should board the flight to Morocco beside players and technical team.

Tshosane: Good question! In addition to the team doctor, physical trainers and physiotherapist, we need a dietician and psychologist.

BOPA: Thanks very much coach for your time.

Tshosane: You are welcome. Now, fans and media are going to pay a lot more attention to this team. I, therefore advise coach not to fear losing a friendly game because that is a platform for trying out combinations. She is going to get a lot of criticism like never before, but she should stick to her plan. 

That’s it! BOPA