Mares are bracing for a fierce showdown against continental heavyweights Nigeria in a crucial WAFCON 2024 Group B clash at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Morocco tomorrow night.
Kick-off is at 9pm (Botswana time). The Mares are chasing redemption after falling 1-0 to Algeria in their opening fixture. They now face a daunting test against the Super Falcons, the tournament’s record champions, who top the group following a commanding 3-0 victory over Tunisia. Mares head coach, Alex Malete is optimistic his side can bounce back and keep their quarterfinal hopes alive. He said belief remains strong within the camp despite the opening day disappointment.
“I have to say tomorrow's game against Nigeria is an opportunity for us, an opportunity we cannot afford to not take. We did not start the tournament very well and we believe that tomorrow we have to play every moment, we have to play every second, from the first whistle until last whistle, something that we did not do so well in the first game,” Malete said during a press briefing in Morocco on Wednesday. A point against the Super Falcons could keep Botswana in the race, provided they beat Tunisia in the final group match.
Malete has urged his players to stay sharp and compete from start to finish. “We also have to look at other groups how they are playing in terms of the score lines, the goal differences. Every goal would matter tomorrow, so we have to keep the game very competitive and finish strongly against Tunisia. So we are confident that we will qualify for the quarterfinals,” he said. Botswana currently sit third in Group B, level on points with Tunisia but ahead on goal difference. The top two teams progress automatically, with a lifeline also available for two of the best third-placed finishers.
