Mares told to remove underdog tag
Larona Makhaiza | Tuesday June 17, 2025 10:42
Ookeditse who is also the Assistant Minister of Health was standing in for Jacob Kelebeng who is away in Hungary on official business alongside President, Duma Boko.
Speaking at the send off ceremony of the Mares, Ookeditse said it is high time players believe in themselves and not settle for less or think that they are a small fish to fry.
Ookeditse also said just like any other nation that qualified for WAFCON, the Mares have got all it takes to clinch the coveted title and bring it home.
“Gone are the days when we were just underdogs and I am telling you now that we are not sending you as underdogs,” the minister said.
The minister reminded the team that as they take off to Morocco, they are not representing just themselves but are carrying dreams for each and every Motswana. For that Ookeditse said the team has no room to slack down in proceeding further at the tournament.
“Wear your stripes with a lot of pride and represent us with a lot of pride, because when you step out remember that you have the whole nation behind you,” he said.
He further said, “You are not going there just as another team, you are going there as a team that carries our dreams and we cannot send you to the world as underdogs,” Ookeditse emphasised.
Though Ookeditse holds high hopes for the team that bowed out in the quarterfinals in their first stint, he said he is not putting them under any pressure.
“We are not putting you in any pressure but because you are getting a lot of recognition, people will expect more because you are a team that can take on anyone on any day,” he said.
In addition Ookeditse implored the team to be bold in the field of play and not allow themselves to be bullied by opponents during the game.
“Be fearless do not accept that you are going there as underdogs we are a nation of achievers, we built this country from nothing you cannot be taken lightly. Africa should shake when you gallop into the pitch that they are up against the Mares,” Ookeditse said.
Meanwhile, Mares head coach Alex Malete complemented Ookeditse’s words articulating that the team will go all the way in the tournament.
“We don’t go there as footballers but as ambassadors of this country. So we will give everything that we have and we will surely do well. We leave with one mission today to compete fiercely and to return proudly,” Malete said.
Speaking on behalf of the players, the Mares captain, Sedilame Boseja said they will not add numbers at Morocco.
“We will go there to compete, we can promise the nation that. We wont add numbers at the tournament,” she said.