30 Jan 2020

Botswana Under 20 women national football  team will host their Namibian counterparts in a  World Cup qualifier second leg encounter at the National Stadium today.

In the first leg in Windhoek, Botswana won the game 7-0, courtesy of Michelle ‘Messi’ Abueng who plays for Yasa FC in Zambia. She scored five goals, while Obonetse Rathari and Tebatso Pilane scored the other two goals.

When visiting Botswana’s camp on Wednesday afternoon, one could sense a lot of confidence in the team.

The captain, Esalenna Galekhutlhe, said the mood in camp was high, adding that they would leave no stone unturned as they face the Young Gladiators.

“Look, there is no time for complacency. Our mission is to win the game in front of our supporters,” she said.

Galekhutle said they would play as per their coaches’ instructions, adding that she was happy that they understood each other since they had played together on numerous occasions.

Midfielder, Lone Gaofetoge, said Batswana should expect entertaining football.

“We are cognizant of the fact that Namibia’s mission will be to score an early goal to unsettle us, but like a lioness protecting its cub, we are going to defend our lead and if any opportunities arise, we will continue to score,” she said.

Goalkeeper, Bame ‘Gotshana’ Mokime said Namibia could be ‘ruthless’ moving forward.

She said her intension was to keep a clean sheet against Namibia.

“The goalkeeper is the last line of defence and the first line of attack, therefore I know I must be sharp in my decisions,” she said.

Abueng on one hand said she was aware that their opponents were planning to block her this time.

“They should make that mistake and get the shock of their lives, we have a lot of scoring machines in our team, they can mark me the entire 90 minutes, but there are other players who are capable of destroying them,” she said.

Coach, Jacqueline Gaboinelwe said her team was ready to face Namibia, adding that they had been focusing on tactical awareness.

“We want them to play as a unit, to combine from the back to the front, we have told them that this is a new game, hence the need to focus,” she said.

The game will start at 6 p.m, and the winner will face the winner between Zambia and South Africa. Ends