15 Aug 2022

The senior women national football team is shaping up for the Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship billed for Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa from August 31 to September 11.

The Saturday draw put Botswana in Group C with Malawi, Tanzania and Comoros.

Group A has South Africa, Angola, Mauritius, and Mozambique, while Group B has Zambia, Namibia, Lesotho and eSwatini.

In an interview, Botswana Football Association (BFA) technical director, Tshepo Mphukuthi, said the Mares were drawn in a fair group.

He said they welcomed the draw and they were optimistic that the team would fight until the last whistle to leave a mark at the competition.

“Again for you to be the best, you have to play against the best and beat them in the process, so we will decisively deal with anyone who comes our way,” he said.

He said they would send a youthful side blended with a bit of experiencer.

The technical director said national teams had cycles, adding they were introducing youthful cycle for COSAFA.

Mphukuthi said the first cycle did not have World Cup qualifiers but the second one had them .

He said given the Mares impressive performance at the African tournament, the intension was to leave no stone unturned in any tournament they participate in.

“Yes, I am aware that Batswana want results, but let’s be cognisant of the fact that COSAFA is meant for development,” he said.

Furthermore, he said it was important that the nation understood results in two ways of a win and growth.

He said for the Mares to do well in future, they had to start well in the region before they could meet countries such as Nigeria and Morocco.

Mphukuthi said it was highly possible to see new faces in the technical team, given that they had reviews every two years.

“During the review, they might choose to keep or part ways with the technical team looking at the best interest of the country,” he said. ENDS