06 Mar 2016

Botswana’s women senior national team yesterday made a mince meat of their Mauritian counterparts during an entertaining CAF Africa Women Cup of Nations 2016 qualifier played at the New Lobatse Sports Complex.

The lady Zebras forward Nondi Mahlasela  led the on-slaught by scoring the first and third goal to see her side register a record 6-0 win in the competition.

Bonang Otlhagile, Tlamelo Motlhale, Bame Ngenda and Golebaone Selebatso extended the lead to turn the match into a me-too affair.

Although she was unlucky not to have scored, Zebras gutsy young fighter Refilwe Tlholakele was the main architect of the opponents’ downfall. 

Every so often the composed attacker stormed away from the opponents into the box from the right flank then delivered a final pass behind the defence for her teammates to finish off.

Gaolethoo Ricardo Nkutlwisang’s girls nonetheless, could not make the most of their aerial advantage hence most of the clinical crosses Refilwe delivered into the box went begging. 

Although they scored half a dozen goals, the girls who have played together since 2008, still need to work hard on their finishing. 

They often lacked composure in the mouth of goal to convert most of the clear cut scoring chances they had created.

Mauritius on the other hand never quite tested keeper Sedilame Bosija and the forced substitution of defender Azie Michelette who had a physical presence, exposed the team at the back. 

The introduction of striker Adelaide Shakeen added a spark on the attack but her best was not enough to unlock Masego Montsho’s water tight defence.

Meanwhile coach Alain Jules conceded that his charges did not quite match the Zebras pound for pound but said he would work hard to prepare for the next leg to be played in Mauritius on March 18.

Although she was happy to win the clash Nkutlwisang said she still had to work more on attack. She complained that her girls did not bury as many chances as they created. Ends