Mares seek to overturn deficit in Tanzania
Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday October 13, 2026 10:38
A 66th-minute strike by Tanzania’s Opah Clement, following a defensive blunder by the Mares, proved decisive in front of a sparse crowd at the 25,000-seater facility.
The battle now shifts to the 10,000-seater Azam Sports Complex in the Chamazi ward of Temeke, where the fate of the two teams will be determined.
One nation’s Olympic dream will come to an end, while the other will keep its hopes alive. The Mares are chasing the latter, with coach Gaolethoo ‘Ronaldo’ Nkutlwisang remaining upbeat despite the first-leg defeat.
“If they could score one goal here, we can do the same in their backyard,” she said on Friday.
Nkutlwisang bemoaned the Mares’ reliance on long balls, which she felt worked against them in Gaborone. She said the goal they conceded came from a situation they had anticipated.
“It is a game that we gave away. In the first half, we played long balls and were unable to win the second balls. There was not enough individual responsibility,” Nkutlwisang added.
“We played long balls, which worked in Tanzania’s favour. We had discussed that they would play a long ball leading to a goal, and it happened just that way.”
Despite the sparse crowd at the National Stadium, Nkutlwisang expects a bigger turnout in Dar es Salaam for the return leg.
“It is something that I cannot comment on (the few supporters). We expect fans to come to the stadium, but if they do not, there is not much we can do. We thank those who came through. Unfortunately, the result was not favourable,” the coach said.
A league match between Gaborone United and Morupule Wanderers at the GU Stadium, adjacent to the National Stadium, provided a competing attraction.
Twiga Stars coach, Bakari Shime was naturally pleased with the result but cautioned that the tie was far from over.
“My girls played according to our strategy. We know the strengths of our opponents. They press and are good in transition. They are good at shooting from long range, and we respect them for their abilities. We managed to control the game and scored one goal, which gives us the advantage,” he said.
“The game is still on. We are going home and will try to attack as much as possible. Botswana might try to score, so we need another goal and must also defend well,” Shime added.
The match was evenly balanced, although the Tanzanians, smaller in stature than the Mares, controlled periods of the game. For Botswana, Kesegofetse Mochawe impressed, while talisman Refilwe Tholakele was largely anonymous by her usual high standards.
The winner between Botswana and Tanzania will face either Rwanda or Ethiopia in the next round.