30 Aug 2022

The senior women national football team left for Gqeberha, South Africa yesterday to compete in the Hollywoodbets COSAFA championship: August 31 - September 11.

The Mares, whose first game would be against Malawi on Friday, are in Group C with Malawi, Tanzania and Comoros.

Team captain, Lesego ‘Shudy’ Radiakanyo, said they had prepared well and morale in the camp was high.

Radiakanyo, who will be leading a young squad, said she had advised her teammates to enjoy the games.

The Mares coach, Gaoletlhoo ‘Ronaldo’ Nkutlwisang, said preparations were in two phases, with the first one guided by Botswana Football Association, technical director, Tshepo Mphukuthi and Barobi Ngwako.

Nkutlwisang said she was included in the second phase.

The coach said she expected her young squad to do well at this year’s COSAFA’s edition.

She said not all players who participated at the Morocco Women Africa Cup of Nations (AWCON) were called to the squad.

“We have picked just a few, and we have also not called international based players”.

The coach said the intension was to give the young players exposure and an opportunity to prove themselves.

“Expectations were that we will continue with the same pool of players that we used in AWCON for continuity, but the mandate of the association is to introduce young players for the future,” she said.

BFA CEO, Mfolo Mfolo, said they wanted to refresh the squad, for the future.

The squad

Goalkeepers: Lesego Moeng (BDF), Bame Mokime (Double Action), Doris Motshegwe (Wonder Girls), Tlamelo Pheresi (Gaborone United).

Defenders: Bonang Oteng (Double Action), Pearl Sikwane and Nancy Baeletsi (Prisons), Theo George and Lorato Motlogelwa (Wonder Girls), Goitsemang Tlamma (BDF), Jessicca Modise (Mexican Girls).

Midfielders: Messia Radinonyane (Orapa All Stars), Laone Moloi, Lesego Radiakanyo and Oratile Rathari, (Double Action) Lone Gaofetoge (Gaborone United), Anna Sechane (Township Rollers), Tshegofatso Mosotho (Mazotti FC), Keitumetse Dithebe (Mexican Girls), Leungo Senwelo (FC Ambassadors).

Strikers: Ontlametse Gaonyadiwe, (Double Action), Mitchell Abueng (BDF), Peggy Manewe (Township Rollers) ENDS