The team made its maiden appearance at the WAFCON finals in Morocco in July where they reached the quarterfinals. The Mares came close to securing a World Cup qualifying berth but lost 1-0 to Cameroon in a match to determine the side that would proceed to a continental play-off. On Thursday, the BFA and its corporate partners held an award ceremony in Gaborone to honour the team for the performances.
The BFA president, Maclean Letshwiti announced that the association has managed to raise monies for the squad through its corporate partners. Letshwiti said the financial contributions were made by companies such as Lucara Botswana, Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB), First National Bank Botswana (FNBB), Lactalis Botswana, Orange Botswana, and O3 Beverages. The total money raised was P1.8 million meaning each member will get P53,700. Letshwiti said that it has been proven that financial incentives have a huge impact on each sporting team's performance and pleaded with the private sector to lend a helping hand in the development of football in the country. “I was not worried when we had conversations about the money for the Mares ahead of the WAFCON because I thought it will distract the players. But it is an undeniable fact that it is the money that gives the players motivation. So the critical part of the development of football is a partnership with the private sector. Without the contribution of the private sector, it is going to be difficult. In North Africa, they are successful because teams are supported by businesses and the teams are owned by businesses. This also goes to the government, running national teams is expensive. All successful national teams have government behind them, they have government backing. The government put a lot of money into the Mares (ahead of the WAFCON finals) and that is why we were successful. So we need the business sector and government to put hands together for the game,” Letshwiti said.
