22 Aug 2022

The senior women national football team  players are proud to have made a mark at the 2022 Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

Making it to the quarterfinals was a feat worth celebrating, according to team captain, Bonang ‘Bebeto’ Otlhagile.

Speaking at an appreciation brunch at the State House in Gaborone on Sunday, Otlhagile said The Mares went to the tournament as underdogs, but hard work, resilience and commitment paid dividends.

“I am preparing to retire and I must say, I am happy for what we have achieved and thank you President Masisi for hosting us,” she added.

Assistant Minister for State President, Dumezweni Mthimkhulu praised the team for its gallant performance.

He said the team grew from strength to strength and fought throughout the tournament.

“What excites me most is that you are a team of young women who are all under 30 years.

This gives us great hope for the future,” stated Mthimkhulu.

What was even more impressive, he said, was that Refilwe Tholakelo and Kesegofetse Mochawe ended up being signed by international teams because of their exceptional performance.

For his part, Minister of Youth Gender, Sport and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare, said The Mares feat was demonstration that with the right support, anything was possible.

He said the support the team got from government and Batswana during the campaign was immeasurable.

The Mares, he said, were in the same group with powerhouses:  South Africa and Nigeria. They also played hosts, Morocco, in the quarterfinals.

Rakgare said the three teams were highly ranked in Africa, adding he was happy that The Mares stood their ground and made it to the quarter finals, making them the first football national team in history to make it to that stage in a competition of that calibre.

Meanwhile, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi thanked the Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe for ensuring that women were prioritised and given the requisite support in football development. ENDS