Mares Coach Targets Victory In SA

Kabelo Boranabi | Monday September 2, 2019 11:56

The team played to a 0-0 draw against South Africa in the first leg of qualifiers’ second round at the National Stadium. In an evenly contested game played under floodlights on Friday, both sides had chances to bag a winner, but failed to grab the opportunties.

Speaking to journalists after the game, Nkutlwisang was impressed with the team. But he bemoaned wasted goal opportunities. “It was a tough game but we failed to convert. The team played well. We tried to get that early goal but we failed. We can get a win against South Africa away from home.

Looking at the match the girls played well, but the issue is we failed to score. We are going for a win in South Africa in the second leg,” she said.

Ronaldo’s charges had the first sight at goal on the 16th minute as Lesego Radiakanyo headed the ball towards South Africa’s goalposts. But the goalkeeper superbly parried the attempt away for a corner. On the 28th minute, Refilwe Tholakele sailed her free kick over the opposition’s goal.

The visitors were forced to make a substitution with Busisiwe Ndemi replacing Robyn Mondaly  on the 36th minute. Banyana started to gain confidence in the match and enjoyed a lion’s share of the ball possession, but were restricted to their own half. The two teams went into the break tied at 0-0.

In the early minutes of the second half, Banyana showed their intent with captain Refiloe Jane orchestrating the moves from the middle of the park but failed to break the opposition’s resolute defence. The Mares’ goalkeeper, Sedilame Bosija was the busier of the two goalkeepers as she easily thwarted anything that came her way. On the 70th minute, defender Masego Montsho could have put the home team ahead.

Her headed effort from a corner kick went wide. Six minutes later, Mamello Mkhabane saw her free kick attempt saved by the goalkeeper before trying a long range shot from outside the box as both sides chased a winner. On the 90th minute, striker Jeannine Seoposenwe could have bagged the winner for the visitors, but shot straight into the goalkeeper’s hands as the home team clinched an important draw at home.

The away team’s coach, Desiree Ellis bemoaned the playing pitch’s condition.  But she was happy with how her team played in the evening. “The pitch did not suit the type of football we wanted to play, but we had to adapt. There were even chances from both sides and the most important thing is that we did not concede. They came out and gave a very tough match,” she said.

The Mares left yesterday for South Africa for the return leg of the tie that will be played tomorrow at the Orlando Stadium. Kick off is 7pm.

The Teams:

Botswana: Bosjia, Veronicah Mogotsi, Bonang Otlhagile, Montsho, Kesegofetse Mochawe, Thando Mokgabo (Boitumelo Gammu), Golebaone Selebatso, Tholakele, Radiakanyo (Esalenna Galekhutle), Balotlhanyi Johannes (Bame Ngenda), Nondi Mahlasela

South Africa: Andile Dlamini, Lebohang Ramalepe, Nothando Vilakazi, Makhabane, Rhonda Molaudzi (Noxolo Cesane), Amanda Mthanda, Mondaly (Ndemi), Jane, Seoposenwe, Bambanani Mbame, Tiisetsk Makhubela,