The Mares ready to shock Africa
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday June 30, 2025 09:24
Although the target is to reach the knockout rounds, Bosija believes the team can progress further. The Mares have settled in well at their base in Tangier, Morocco, where they will soon head into their tournament opener, set to be played in just over a week. The team has kept the majority of the players and supporting staff that made the team's debut at the continental tournament in 2022. Speaking to MmegiSport from Morocco, Bosija said being an underdog in the continental scene has lifted a bit of pressure on the team. Bosija is of the thought that the team is not expected to replicate the quarterfinals reach achieved in its debut in 2022. 'No, there is a no pressure to be honest, but it is just motivation. People have ruled us out again so we will take that and there is no pressure. It is a motivation for us to say we are capable of winning this thing and also we are just proud to be part of the squad,' said Bosija.
She added there have not been significant changes to the squad as the team returns to 'The Gateway to Africa'. She is optimistic the team has the potential to go as far as the semifinals. 'I do not think much has changed, maybe the mental aspect of the team (has) because at the last WAFCON, the main goal was to get off from group stages. Right now it (the aim) is to reach a bit higher, maybe semifinal or even the finals. I honestly believe that we just have to prove to people that we are capable and we have the abilities to beat these other teams and make it to the finals,' said Bosija. The goal-minder highlighted the spirit of unity and fighting for one another within the 26-member group. She said the squad draws confidence from a series of friendly matches the team has played since securing qualification in 2023. For his part, the Mares' head coach, Alex Malete has said the team has settled well in Morocco and has not encountered challenges since their arrival. The team's level of training and commitment from the squad also impresses the gaffer as he said the weather conditions have also been kind to the team. 'It is not cold here, the temperatures are okay and they are not very high. I think the only difference is that the sun sets very late. But I would say the conditions are okay for us,' said Malete.
With just nine days to the Mares' WAFCON 2025 opener, Malete said the team is now focused on balancing the tapering phase—ensuring the players are physically ready—with fine-tuning their tactical setup and style of play. 'We do not want to have a tired team just before we play our games. We are also ensuring that they would be sharp and fresh, not only physically but also sharper mentally. So, we also have to manage the kind of activities we do with them, and how much we demand mentally from them. We need them to be light ahead of our games,' he said. The gaffer said the team is likely to play one friendly match before the tournament kicks off. He added that whilst the squad is injury-free, several players had recently caught the flu but have since fully recovered. The Mares are drawn in Group B, alongside record champions Nigeria and North African sides Algeria and Tunisia.
Full Mares Group B Schedule
July 6 vs Algeria Pere Jego Stadium @8pm July 10 vs Nigeria Larbi Zaouli Stadium @8pm July 13 vs Tunisia Pere Jego Stadium @8pm