The Mares' moment
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday July 2, 2022 06:00
A dream that started two decades ago in the autumn of 2002 and now, the Mares will have a taste of the highest stage of continental football.
The Mares kicked off their qualifying campaign with a resounding 7-0 aggregate score win over Angola.
In the second round, the Mares met neighbours, Zimbabwe and showed great resilience to squeeze into the WAFCON finals on the away goal rule. The two teams had played to a 3-3 draw on aggregate.
The local girls won the first leg tie 3-1 away from home before a nervy 2-0 loss at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium. There have been signs of progress, as under head coach, Gaolethoo ‘Ronaldo’ Nkutlwisang, the team reached the COSAFA Women’s Championship final for the first time in 2020.
The team has reached three semi-finals three consecutive times before attaining a WAFCON finals berth. The Mares' moment is just a weekend away and the 12,000-capacity, Stade Moulay Hassan in Rabat, will host Botswana's WAFCON debut tie as they take on fellow newcomers, Burundi at 10pm. It will be the first ever meeting between the two teams. Only 10 places in the CAF rankings separate the two teams with the Mares sitting in 29th place while Swallows as the Burundi team is commonly known, are in the 39th spot.
The opponents present themselves as an enterprising side with six players based in Europe’s leading leagues such as England, Sweden, and Switzerland. It is a must-win tie for both as they are the underdogs in Group C, which include heavyweights Nigeria and South Africa. From the tie, the Mares will land straight into the biggest tie of their life as they take on Super Falcons of Nigeria at Stade Moulay Hassan on July 7. The Super Falcons are the reigning champions and have won the last three editions of the tournament.
The team is a record tournament winner with 11 titles, having won all but only two editions. Next on the menu will be a familiar opponent in Banyana Banyana of South Africa. It is a tie that the local girls can salvage something from but it would not be an easy task. The tie will be played at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on July 10.
The Mares have had their final preparations disturbed as the friendly match against Uganda was called off. The team was scheduled to meet Togo late last night.