Football cancels athletics' shine in 2023
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday December 23, 2023 06:04
For the second time, the Mares secured a place in the WAFCON finals, demonstrating significant improvement since their debut qualification. The team impressively found the net 12 times in merely four games, averaging an impressive three goals per match.
The Mares stand amongst the top-scoring teams in the qualification phase.
Their defensive prowess was equally commendable, conceding only twice. While reaching the knockout round, they narrowly missed a World Cup qualification spot. Additionally, the Under-15 Mares clinched a silver medal at the CAF Schools Football Championship in Zimbabwe. On a promising note, their counterpart the Zebras, under a new regime, showed considerable potential. Mares forward, Refilwe Tholakele, emerged as a strong contender for the Footballer of the Year accolade amid positive developments for local football exports.
Tholakele boasts a CAF Women’s Champions League title and a medal from the South African elite league in 2023. As the top goalscorer of the Champions League, she was also nominated for the CAF Interclub Player of the Year award. Zebras forward, Tumisang Orebonye, had a standout year with USM Alger, securing victories in both the CAF Confederation Cup and the CAF Super Cup, thereby becoming the first Motswana to achieve this feat. Gape Mohutsiwa claimed a national cup in Algeria, while Sedilame Bosija achieved her second national and continental double with Mamelodi Sundowns.
Notably, Zebras’ captain, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, marked the signing of the year by joining the prestigious South African football club, Kaizer Chiefs. Local league champion, Jwaneng Galaxy have officially become the most successful local team in CAF Interclub competitions. For the second time, Galaxy entered the CAF Champions League group stages, securing notable victories against football giants such as Orlando Pirates and Wydad Casablanca. Presently, they hold third position with four points.
Botswana loses AFCON 2027 bid
Batswana were left heartbroken when the country lost the bid to host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027. The hosting rights were given to PAMOJA, a joint bid of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Other bidders were Senegal, Nigeria and Benin (jointly) as well as Algeria, which withdrew their bid at the dying minute.
Branch's stellar season in 2023 While the Dakar Rally had a challenging start, Ross Branch rebounded to achieve his best-ever finish in the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), securing fourth place and surpassing his 13th spot in 2022.
This remarkable accomplishment serves as a significant morale boost ahead of the 2024 Dakar Rally, scheduled to begin on January 5, 2024, in Saudi Arabia. On another positive note for motorsport this year, the widely-followed 1,000km Toyota Kalahari Desert Race (TDR) or Matshwabisi returned to Jwaneng after a five-year hiatus, marking four years since its last occurrence in Botswana.