07 Aug 2018

The senior women football team reported for camp on August 5 in preparation for the 2018 COSAFA Women’s Championship to be held in South Africa next month.

The team hopes to improve from the 2017 championship where they were eliminated in the group stages in Zimbabwe.

Coach Gaoletlhoo Nkutlusang seems determined to mount a successful campaign and win the first ever gold for the Zebras.  

She mixed experience with young blood in her provisional squad and Nkutlusang is expected to throw newcomers, amongst them Lone Gaofete and Mokgabo Thando into the deep end to prove their mettle.

She said she was going to have a tough time trimming her squad from 27 to 20 given that all the girls were working hard to make the cut.

Furthermore, Nkutlusang said her mission in the 2018 edition was to win the first gold for Botswana in the COSAFA Women’s Championship.

The provisional squad is missing some experienced players such as Bame Ngenda and Boitumelo Gammu, but Nkutlusang said the two might not be in the squad but she was keeping a close eye on them.

She said she wanted to look at other players such as Keitumetse Kemolebale who was plying her trade at North-West University.

She said she was confident that the provisional squad was balanced and that players were hungry and eager to impress. 

 “Our victory will be determined by our preparation. If we can have two or three international friendly games, we can compete,” she said.

The coach said the friendly games would assist her technical team to try new formations and gauge the team’s weaknesses and strength.

The provisional squad

Goalkeepers:  Sedilame Bosija (Bloemfontein Celtic), Lesego Gloria Moeng (Sharps Shooting Stars), Tlamelo Pheresi (Gaborone United) and Refilwe Tshambane (Prisons).

Defenders: Patricia Motingwa, Bonang Otlhagile, Veronica Mogotsi, Kgomotso Molefe, (Double Action) Godiramang Gonae, Gorata Mogakolodi, (Big Sisters), Masego Montsho (UB Kicks), Nancy Baeletsi (Prisons), Lone Gaofete, (Wonder Girls) Kesegofetse Mochawe, (Township Rollers) and Keitumetse Kemolebale (North West University).

Midfielders: Golebaone Selebatso, Nondi Matlhasela, Lesego Keleboge, (Prisons) Lesego Radikakanyo, Lebogang Setereke Balotlhanyi Johannes, (Double Action), Bonang Kelefitlhetse, (Mvela FC). 

Strikers: Refilwe Tlholakele, (Township Rollers) Esalenna Galekhutle, (Mexican Girls) Thuto Ramafifi, (Double Action) Masego Nfandiso, (Sharps Shooting Stars) Mokgabo Thando (Francistown United). ENDS