Under-17 await re-arranged World Cup tie
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday August 28, 2020 10:14
Botswana missed the return leg that was scheduled to be played in March after the government instructed that all international flights be grounded due to the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
The team is trailing 1-0 from the first leg played at the National Stadium in February.
The outbreak of COVID-19 and the decision not to send the team to Morocco, had put the girls’ participation in jeopardy. But in June, CAF ruled in favour of Botswana, but is yet to set dates for the fixture.
The ‘5StarGals’ were on song before the break after eliminating Zimbabwe 7-0 on aggregate. The team made history by reaching the semi-finals of the Under-17 COSAFA Cup last year, where they were knocked out by Zambia.
The team has scored 21 goals and conceded seven in three games of the group stages of the tournament held in Mauritius before a 6-0 loss in semi-finals.
Speaking to Mmegi Sport, Botswana Under-17 coach, Tapaphiwa Tracy Gaebolae bemoaned the break saying the team’s rhythm has been affected albeit rather slightly.
She, however, said plans were already in place whenever a decision is made on the return trip.
“It is a difficult one because we are yet to know when we will play. But ever since we were notified of the CAF verdict, the technical team submitted a plan to the BFA (Botswana Football Association). I have also assigned coaches at schools to keep tabs on the players. We also have a reserve team that we may call upon whenever need be,” Gaebolae said.
“We are working with a squad made up of students here, so most of the time they are consumed by their academic work. But I like the strength they have in them. They are a strong group of players, who have showed great mental strength. The decision to forfeit the away fixture was somehow influenced by them because they alerted us of COVID-19’s implications on the team’s performance. But when we are called up to play, we will be ready.”
The World Cup was scheduled for November this year, but has since been moved to January 2021. The tournament will start on January 20 and end on February 6, 2021.
Botswana is bidding for one of the three places allocated for Africa at the tournament to be held in India.