Mares thump Gabon in historic win :: Mmegi Online

LOBATSE: The Mares have advanced to the second round of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a win for the record books. On Tuesday, the team beat Gabon 6-0 in the second leg of the WAFCON qualifiers' first round played at the Lobatse Sports Complex.

However, the victory was one goal short of the record 7-0 win against Mauritius in 2016 and South Sudan in 2021. The Mares won 4-1 away to Gabon and will advance on a 10-1 aggregate score line. The score will go into the history books as the Mares’ biggest win over two legs. Playing in front of the home crowd, the Mares took the lead as early as the eighth minute. Refilwe Tholakele put in an in-swinging corner and Lesego Radiakanyo was at the far post to nod the ball home.

Two minutes later, Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse made it 2-0 for the home side as she slotted into the bottom corner from inside the box. It was 3-0 in the 31st minute as Ontlametse attacked Keitumetse Dithebe’s free-kick at the near post and put her shot past the goalkeeper. Nancy Baeletsi caught the keeper of the line with a long-range effort just three minutes before the break to make it 4-0.

Already have an active account? Log in here.

Or Sign up and get unlimited access to premium articles.