11 Feb 2024

Botswana Under 17 national women’s football team dream of makiing a maiden appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup was shattered after the team bowed out of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Qualification Africa 2024 after losing 2 -0 to Burundi at the National Stadium on Friday.

Burundi beat The Young Mares 4-1 in the first leg on Tuesday and there was hope the hosts will turn tables around and win the Friday game.

However, Burundi demonstrated that their first victory was not by fluke, as they dominated the game from the first whistle.

In the fifth minute Burundi’s Esperance Habonimana unleashed a shot from the 18th area but goalkeeper Amochilani Ntwakgolo managed to deal with it.

In the ninth minute, Botswana could have opened the score sheet but Keitumetse Tamocha squandered the golden scoring opportunity with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Lack of composure in the box cost The Young Mares as defence error in the 22nd minute as Burundi opened the scored sheet through Adolphine Rumuri.

The visitors continued with their attacks and in the 35th minute The Young Mares defenders and goalkeeper were forced to deal with Rahay Roy-Nzoyikorera who did not shoot once but several times, but managed to clear dangerous balls.

The game went to break with Burundi leading 1-0 and three minutes after the break Nzoyikorera rectified her 35th mistake with a thunderbolt dress room goal to extend her team’s lead to 2-0.

As the game progressed it was evident that Burundi had an upper hand over Botswana.

The Young Mares did not allow the visitors to have it easy as they kept Burundi players at bay as they could have scored an avalance of goals. ENDS