03 Mar 2016

Botswana’s women senior national team is expected to teach Mauritius  some football lessons when the two sides meet in  the CAF Africa Women Cup of Nations 2016 in Lobatse on Saturday.

The team has a number of players who are capable of causing havoc to any defence. However, all eyes will be on free scoring Township Rollers striker Bame Ngenda, who is deadly in the eighteenth area.

Other players who are capable of causing havoc include Double Action’s Thuso Leseane. Her teammate and captain, Bonang  Otlhagile is expected to form a formidable defence to deny the visitors to score an away goal.

Mauritius should also be weary of Refilwe Tholakelo, Kesegofetse Mochawe and Tlamelo Motlhale who have proved that they have what it takes to play at international level.

Between the posts, Botswana will bank on Sedilame Bosija to use her experience to deny the visitors an away goal. Her height, agility, and good decision making will come in handy against Mauritius.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, coach Gaolethoo Nkutlwisang said her girls were ready for the encounter.

She said preparations for the game went well given that they reported for camp to prepare for the game well on time, adding that despite not playing international friendlies, she was confident that “it’s all systems go,” and that the team was looking forward to the game.

Gaolethoo noted that they only managed to play three friendly games with local teams, but said they managed to identify their strengths and weaknesses.

She said Mauritius was a closed book to them, and that they would study them in the opening minutes. “If the girl’s commitment is anything to go by, I am confident of positive results.

Team captain, Otlhagile said the team has been training hard, and that they managed to play friendly games which helped the technical team to assess players.

“Moral in the camp is high and our main target is to win the game and put a smile in Batswana’s face,” she said.

The local girls will travel to Mauritius for the second leg to be played on March  18 . Ends