19 Mar 2015

A fierce battle is expected on Saturday (March 21) when the senior national women’s team, Zebras, take on South Africa's Banyana Banyana in the All Africa qualifiers in Molepolole.

This would not the first time the two sides meet in this competition, given that in 2011, Botswana beat South Africa one-nil courtesy of Thuso Ramafifi in the first leg of the All Africa Games qualifiers, but somersaulted in the second leg after Banyana Banyana came with guns blazing to beat the Zebras 3-0 in their own turf.

The two sides met again in an international friendly in June, last year, South Africa beat Botswana 4-0 in a game played at Isak Steyl Stadium, and in September, Banyana Banyana continued with their dominance over Zebras when they humiliated them 10-0 at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg. 

However, on March 21 a lot would be at stake, the girls would not want to disappoint the supporters after watching them in large numbers against Madagascar a fortnight ago at the National Stadium. 

The team’s captain, Bonang ‘Bebeto’ Otlhagile is expected to lead the girls. However Botswana will be without Phatshimo Bosa, after CAF Disciplinary committee board confirmed that disciplinary measures were taken following unsporting behaviour displayed during the match between Botswana and Madagascar.

However, coach Gaolethoo Nkutlwisang told BOPA that her girls were ready for the encounter and she was aware that South Africa was a strong opponent, therefore they had managed to prepare well for the game.

“We are going to fight to the bitter end, and we are not going to give them any respect, players are fine mentally and their fitness level is very high,” she said.  She said the fact that they did not play international friendly games, would not deter them from matching their opponents and ultimately cause upset on the day.

Nkutlwisang further said, “The team is injury free, and all the players are looking forward to the game, and Batswana should come in large numbers to support the local girls.”  The vice captain, Kgomotso Molefe said moral was high in the camp, and they were ready for the game.

She said it would not be their first time to play against players such as Portia, and they know their style of play. “We know they are stylish but this time ga gona Portia o tlileng go Shaba, we are not going to allow her to toss us around in our own turf,” she said. 

Molefe said currently the Zebras have been analysing their strength to rectify their mistakes.

Nonetheless, Banyana Banyana coach, Vera Pauw was said to be leaving no stone unturned, as she is expected to bring a full- fledged squad, amongst them Shiwe Nongwanya, Jermaine Seoposenwe, Portia Modise, Sanah Mollo, Janine van Wyk, Noko Matlou and Amanda Dlamini.

The team has just returned from Cyprus where they participated in the annual 12-nation Cyprus Women’s Cup and the coach was quoted prior to the tournament saying, “The experience we are going to get there is just priceless while the girls are not as match fit as I would have liked, the Cyprus Cup should slowly put them in the right frame.”

The game will be played at Molepolole on Saturday at 1600 hours and admission is free. BOPA