25 Oct 2023

A tough battle looms as the senior women national football team, The Mares face Twiga Stars of Tanzania in the Women’s Olympic Football qualifier game to be played at Azam Complex Stadium, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania October 26.

Anticipating what seems like a menace for The Mares, BOPA takes a peek into the Botswana line-up to see the formidable 11 who will take down the Twiga Stars of Tanzania.

At the goal posts, Sedilame ‘Tsontso’ Bosija will expected to deal with any threat given her experience from Mamelodi Sundowns.

She has been with the team for a couple of years now. With a seemingly porous defence, The Mares need a vocal and experienced goalkeeper that can stamp her authority and command the defensive lines well.

The Sundowns goalminder remains a key player as The Mares look to keep a clean sheet away.
In central defence, the coach might opt for Nancy Baeletsi. Although she is not one of the best defenders in the country, she is a very good player in terms of thinking and application.

She is one such good player you can trust. She has football IQ. She recently cemented her place in the starting eleven and has not disappointed. A calm and highly tactical defender.

Masego Montsho will be ideal although she is not a left footer. However, she is important in covering up for Kesegofetshe Mochawe when she dashes upfront.

She does not have speed but very strong on air and ground. She is a solid centre back who has proved to be good in dealing with aerial balls. She is the leader in the heart of The Mares defence.

A lot of crosses will be expected from Kesegotse ‘Odinga’ Mochawe’s side into the danger zone, and she would be expected to carry opponents at some point. She is a quality player who always adds numbers in midfield and defence.

She recently made the COSAFA Team Tournament squad. She will be looking to take her performance to the Olympic qualifiers.

Veronica ‘Etoo’ Mogotsi, a very smart, calm and hardworking player. She is expected to always cover up for Baeletsi and avoid one on one situations with her. She can also drop deep in defensive and do the job well. She is a good passer and can be dangerous in attack.

She is one of the most consistent players in The Mares squad. She proved her mettle over time. One of the outstanding players in defensive on one-on-one situations.

Lone ‘Motsadi’ Gaofetoge, a very casual player in the game but dangerous when given space and free pockets to run into. She is the one who always stops and starts the attack.

Therefore, she is key but needs to have sense of urgency. Aggressive, confident with a big heart. She will be looking to neutralise the opponent’s attack in midfield.

Instead of Golebaone ‘Bar 1’ Selebatso and given that she had not been playing well, the coach might start with Obonetse Rathari in that she is strong on the ground and has so much energy to run box to box.

When Gaofetoge is pushed to advance, Rathari can be used to clean up behind her and in front of the defence.

Keitumetse ‘Ben 10’ Dithebe is deadly on a given day. She can get goals and with the presence of Refilwe Tholakele, she can hurt the opponent.

She has been not playing her best football but with quality around her, she can win games for The Mares.

A creative attacker who can easily cause harm to the opposition defenders.

We have never had a bullying striker and very forceful in terms of play but as a winger, Balotlhanyi ‘Juju’ Johannes can fill in.

However, she should also be tried as a target player and see what she can offer.

She can hold upfront and use her body to protect the ball. She can charge towards the defenders and cause a lot of problems for them. She has what it takes to play as a number nine.

She recently had a good run in COSAFA tournament, getting an equaliser for The Mares in the last match against Zimbabwe.

Lesego Radiakanyo, on one hand, is an artistic attacker with goals to her name. Playing just in front of Lone and Rathari will make her look very direct and aggressive as a dangerous number 10. She likes carrying the ball.

Playing Refilwe ‘Seven’ Tholakele, as a winger will be an advantage for The Mares given her eye for goal and speed. But playing her as a target, sometimes limits her to make those close runs and show her qualities. She can score goals from any angle. She has proved to be one of the best in COSAFA and CAF over the years. The speedy attacker has goals to her name. ENDS