11 Feb 2025

Individual players making up the senior national women football team, The Mares have vowed to put their best foot forward. 

The Mares is busy preparing for their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 qualifier clash against the Leopards Dames of the Democratic Republic of Congo

They meet on February 20 at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium with the second leg scheduled for February 26 at the Pentacost Martyrs Stadium, in Kinshasa. 

The winner between the two nations will have a date with South Africa’s Banyana Banyana who got a bye to the second round. 

One of the players, Nondi Mahlasela said their intension as players is to win the two-legged clash and move to the next round.

She said they are putting a lot of effort in training, adding that the DRC game was very important given that if they win, it could motivate them to go all the way. 

Another player, Kesegofetse Mochawe said they have been preparing well, and she is happy that they are also adapting to the coach’s tactics. 

She said they are aware that their opponents have speedy wingers and physically they are better than them, however, she said they would deal with that area decisively. 

The Mares coach, Alex Malete said he is expecting his foreign-based players to join the camp on different dates beginning this week. 

He said Turkey-based duo of Lone Gaofetoge and Keitumetse Dithebe would only join the camp after February 16 after their games at their respective clubs. 

“We are playing on the 20^th, and it takes two days to travel from Turkey, but the good thing is that we are in touch with them, in terms of how we want to play, and they were part of the 10 games we played last year, and they understand what is needed,” he said. 

He said the only worry for them would be to manage the fatigue, to make sure they are fresh for the game. 

“But I am sure our performance team will be ready to make sure that they are fresh for the game,” he said. ENDS