12 Nov 2020

Botswana senior women national team has for the first time in history, marched to the COSAFA 2020 Women’s Championship finals, after beating the Copper Queen of Zambia 2-1.

The final will be played at Wolfson Stadium, Port Elizabeth, South Africa on November 14.

The girls owe their victory to coach Gaolethoo Nkutlwisang, who fought like a wounded buffalo, although they played under a lot of pressure in their quest to make history.

A lot was at stake in the encounter, given that the Copper Queens had overtime given the local girls a torrid time.

And who can ever forget, last year in the Olympic Qualifiers, when the nation was resolute that Botswana would proceed to the Qualifiers, only to be stopped by the Copper Queens.

May be a call from the Minister of  Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Tumiso Rakgare 10 minutes before kick-off offering them P250 000 to share if they won against Zambia, served as a motivation for Botswana.

Zambia was awarded a corner in the opening minute of the game, which was well taken by Grace Chanda, but Captain Barbra Banda’s header, was well handled by Botswana keeper, Sedilame Bosija.

However, on the seventh minute, Lone ‘Motsadi’ Gaofetoge scored a cracker outside the 18^th area to put Botswana in the driving seat. 

The Copper Queens, despite trailing, did not lose hope as they continued to surge forward looking for an equaliser.

Although they enjoyed ball possession, they failed to penetrate Botswana’s compact defence, which was well marshalled by captain Bonang Otlhagile.

In the 33^rd minutes, Zambia pulled out Rachael Zulu and replaced her with Prisca Chilufya, hoping she would make a difference and might equalise before half time.

However, in the 38^th minute, Botswana won a penalty after Masego Mfandiso was fouled and it was well executed by Refilwe ‘Seven’ Tholakelo to make it a 2-0.

Just before halftime, Copper Queens players Zulu and Banda exchanged the ball in front of Botswana defence, which ended on Irene Lungu, who did not waste time, but beat Bosija to make it 2-1.

After recess, both teams came back determined. Zambia wanted to equalise, while Botswana’s mission was to protect their lead, and ultimately score another goal.

In the 63^rd minute, Coach Nkutlwisang introduced Lesego Radiakanyo and pulled out Esalenna Galekhutlhe, and 10 minutes later, she substituted Masego Mfandiso with Ontlametse Gaonyadiwe to revitalise the team.

In the 75^th minute, Gaonyadiwe squandered a golden opportunity, when she was only left with the keeper to beat, but ballooned the ball over the wood-work.

Although Zambia posed a lot of threat, Botswana players were resolute to defend the score line. After the game, Coach Nkutlwisang dedicated the game to Golabaone Selebatso’s mother, who passed on recently.

She said as the technical team, they were cognisant that Zambia would launch an attack using their deadly striker Banda, adding that she was happy that they managed to contain her.

She also thanked government for the support, adding that Minister Rakgare’s phone call motivated the team. ENDS