04 Jun 2024

Tawana Top Girls came from behind to qualify for DTC Botswana semifinals after winning DTC Botswana northern block women’s tournament played in Francistown on Sunday. 

They accumulated seven points from three games of the tournament at Francistown Old Stadium.

In their first game played on Saturday, Tawana Top Girls from Letlhakane (Boteti region) played to a 1-1 all draw against Tutume Angels before humiliating Panda United 9-0 in their second game to qualify for the tournament finals against Western Dynamites which they walloped 2-0.

Western Dynamites from Maun region got into the finals with six points following their 10-0 victory against Panda United in the first game and 2-0 against Tutume Angels in the second game to qualify for the finals of a four-team tournament.

Top girls got into the finals with four points whilst Western Dynamites was leading the log with six points. 

However, luck was on the side of Top Girls as they managed to accumulate three points to reach finals with seven points.

In a dazzling display of offensive prowess, striker Tiny Bailani ignited the clash with a decisive strike just six minutes into the game to register the first goal of Tawana Top Girls. This catapulted Tawana Top Girls to the forefront of the match and the cusp of qualifying for the semifinals.

Bailani’s early goal not only ignited the spirit of her teammates but also sparked hope within the Tawana camp, setting the stage for a fiercely contested battle that would ultimately lead to their triumph over their opponents. Her goal and clinical precision embodies the very essence of a seasoned striker, propelling her team towards the converted prize.

In the warning minutes of the first half, Tawana Top Girls got lucky as an errant pass from Western Dynamites fortuitously rebounded into the path of Gorata Osennwe who swiftly utilised the opportunity to place shot into the back of the net.

The decisive moment, occurring just before the referee signaled for the intervals, cemented Tawana’s two goal advantage and further bolstered their chances of success in the upcoming semifinals. 

Such significant lead secured by the clinical finishing off Bailani and Osennwe left the Tawana supporters elated and the Dynamites camp with much work to do if they were to overturn the score line in the second half.

The second half saw Tawana Top Girls maintained unrelenting dominance, with confidence and assertive style of play, which kept Western Dynamites firmly on the back foot. 

Though second half ended with no further goals, such mattered little for Tawana supporter who erupted into triumphant cheers of their team’s resounding victory and assured place in the semifinals of the DTC Botswana tournament.

In a post-match interview, Tawana coach, Onamile Motamma said key to their win was diligent preparations. 

“Our victory today was the product of meticulous analysis of the Western Dynamites games. We identified their strengths and weaknesses and capitalised on them with surgical precision,” he said. 

He said Western Dynamites starting lineup was formidable but Tawana girls persevered through their early.

Western Dynamites, Tizhani Kangangwane, said the outcome of the match was a disappointing, as the team’s promising campaign took a bitter turn. He said though acknowledging the skill and determination of the opponent, he offered Tawana Top Girls a word of encouragement for the road ahead.

“Today was a tough pill to swallow for our team, but I must tip my hat to Tawana Top Girls,” the Dynamites coach conceded with a sober expression. ENDS