29 Mar 2022

Growing up in Kareng in the North West District, Gaolethoo Nkutlwisang never imagined herself playing what was back then considered a male sport.

However, Ronaldo as Nkutlwisang would become known in football circles, went against the grain proving that women too could play this male dominated sport.

She was attracted to football at a tender age, breaking conventional wisdom that girls were only capable of playing less fancied sport such as volleyball, softball and netball.

To Ronaldo, football was more of a vocation than just a sport as she would eventually transition into coaching after she hung her boots.

BOPA reporter, Anastacia Sibanda, chews fat with this coach of the moment who made history qualifying Botswana women’s football national team, the Mares, wor this year’s edition of the Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON).

BOPA: Hello coach, and congratulation for qualifying for AWCON, although you nearly killed us with heart attacks in your game against Zimbabwe.

Nkutlwisang: Ha! ha! That is the beauty of football. It’s unpredictable, but the most important thing is that we managed to book ourselves a ticket to Morocco.

BOPA: Eish! It was a nail-biting moment. Back to why I called you here, first things first, who is Ronaldo.

Nkutlwisang: Ok! I was born in Kareng and I am the only daughter of Mma Moeti.

BOPA: When did you start associating with football?

Nkutlwisang: Well, I started playing football at an early age and that time there was no women football. So I had to play with the boys right from primary school. Then I realised that I was talented, so e be ke nna ke kopa skiem in Sunday soccer teams and during Christmas tournaments.

BOPA: Coach when you started playing women football, I remember seeing you playing good football.

Nkutlwisang: Yeah! I came to Gaborone in 1999 and played for Double Action. When I first arrived, there was a team called Queens. Pew! It was a hard nut to crack, but we soon changed that, and we dominated the league.

BOPA: Continue coach.

Nkutlwisang: Yes, in 2008, I felt the time was right for me to enrol for coaching courses and I would then be appointed assistant coach for the Under 20 national team. We took the team to Zone V1 tournament where we finished in position two. I would again be appointed assistant again at Double Action.

BOPA: You once coached Township Rollers women’s club

Nkutlwisang: Yes, from Double Action, I went to Rollers where I was the head coach. They believed in me and honestly, I enjoyed my stay at Popa. However, Double Action were the only team that tormented Rollers, but after my arrival we managed to win the league.

BOPA: And then you left Rollers.

Nkutlwisang: Yes, I felt I was using my own resources. So, I decided to establish my own team and channel all my resources there. The team is called Geronah Sporting Club.

BOPA: Thanks coach. Now let’s talk about the Mares, when did you start coaching the senior national women football team?

Nkutlwisang: Well, I started with this team in 2010. At some point, I was relegated to assistant coach. Then to head coach again. It was a pendulum swing, ha! ha!

BOPA: It must have been frustrating.

Nkutlwisang: Of course, because I did not know what they were planning. But I was very patient throughout this whole process.

BOPA: But did you learn something from the ‘pendulum swing?’

Nkutlwisang: Oh yes! I learnt a lot from the different coaches and I will always remain indebted to them.

BOPA: Besides the ‘pendulum swing’ what challenges have you encountered while coaching the Mares?

Nkutlwisang: Initially, some people never believed in me and it was difficult because there was a lot of interference from some people who tried to destabilise the team, but I must thank the players and the technical team because we remained focused and resolute.

BOPA: Who are those people coach?

Nkutlwisang: Bogolwane wee, I don’t want to talk too much, let the sleeping dogs lie (Laughs)

BOPA: Ok! I hear you coach.

Nkutlwisang: Some felt I had overstayed and I must be fired, but I am not trying to defend myself here. Look at Senegal, they have been very patient with their coach, Aliou Cisse and he has delivered an AFCON trophy for the first time.

BOPA: Very true.

Nkutlwisang: But I want to thank Tshepo Mphukuthi. He has been very supportive from day one. We have worked together from 2008 before I even became a coach of the national team.

BOPA: Now coach, let’s talk about the AWCON preparations, how are you preparing, have you shared your roadmap with BFA?

Nkutlwisang: We have already submitted our roadmap and we recently had a meeting with the association to discuss our plan, but I am confident that 90 per-cent of our planned activities will be approved.
BOPA: Wonderful!

Nkutlwisang: And I must hasten to tell you that the women football is progressing well. So, our desire is to meet with all the coaches so that they can help us in different areas. Again, if there is need for us to beef up the squad, they will advise us as to which players to draft into the team.

BOPA: Talking about beefing up the squad, are we going to see new faces as you prepare for Morocco?

Nkutlwisang: Staizo, this is a national team, it does not belong to certain individuals. Any player who shows commitment will be called to the national team. This, therefore, means competition will be high. So, no one should feel entitled to make it to Morocco. I am not going to leave anything to chance.

BOPA: Ok coach, let’s move on and let us be honest, you have qualified and there are those who are salivating to either take the team or to work with you.
Nkutlwisang: I know where you are going, but I don’t have a problem to work with anyone, provided we work as a team. In fact, if the association wants to reinforce the technical bench, they should do it now.

BOPA: Ok thanks coach but I have a question and I know all women football followers are curious to know why Bame Ngenda is always overlooked for national duty, despite the fact that she is a fine goal poacher and a regular at her club, BDF.

Nkutlwisang: It is nothing personal, but we have given every player a chance to prove themselves. So, she should continue working very hard, her chance will come.

BOPA: Thank you coach for your time.

Nkutlwisang: Thanks Staizo, we are banking on your support and Batswana in general. We are going to compete against professional teams which are paid huge sums of money. I mean motivated players.

BOPA: Coach wa reng

Nkutlwisang: I am talking about support, emotional or financially, that is all what I am asking for. ENDS