04 Sep 2018

The Botswana senior women football team reported for camp on Sunday to prepare for the 2018 COSAFA Women’s Championship.

The competition will take place in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, from September 12-22.

The team coach, Gaoletlhoo Nkutlusang has trimmed her squad to 20 players who will be travelling to the competition.

Botswana is in Group A with South Africa, Malawi and Madagascar. The group is perceived to be tricky for Botswana considering that Banyana Banyana have proved to a thorn on the side of the local lads.

However, Nkutlusang said in an interview that they were ready for anything, adding that for this edition, they were on a mission. She added that countries should rule them out at their own peril.

She said as part of their preparations, they had an international friendly with Lesotho.

She said although her team’s performance was not satisfactory, they would work on their shortcomings.

“Our main enemy was stamina during the international friendly because most of my girls faded in the 60th minute. However it is something that we have been working on despite the short time we have,” she said.

Furthermore, the coach said their desire was to have two games with local teams to guage their readiness ahead of the competition.

She said she had called Tlamelo Motlhale who was initially not in the provisional squad to reinforce her defence.

Botswana will miss Thuto Ramafifi who recently relocated to the USA to study and play football.

Final squad

Goalkeepers:
Sedilame Bosija (Bloemfontein Celtic) and Refilwe Tshambane (Prisons).
Defenders:
 Patricia Motingwa, Bonang Otlhagile, Veronica Mogotsi, Kgomotso Molefe, (Double Action) Masego Montsho (UB Kicks), Nancy Baeletsi, Tlamelo Motlhale (Prisons), Kesegofetse Mochawe, (Township Rollers)

Midfielders:
Golebaone Selebatso, Lesego Keleboge, (Prisons) Lebogang Setereke, Balotlhanyi Johannes, Thuso Leseane (Double Action)

Strikers:
Refilwe Tlholakele, (Township Rollers) Masego Nfandiso, (Sharps Shooting Stars) Mokgabo Thando (Francistown United), Nondi Matlhasela (Prison).ENDS