29 Aug 2024

Gaborone United intends to bid to host next year’s CAF Women’s League COSAFA qualifiers.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Gaborone United ladies team manager Owe Mmolawa said they believe that hosting the tournament would elevate women’s football in the country.

He said it would also provide the opportunity to ensure the highest standard of organisation and fairness.

Gaborone United lost 8-9 in the CAF Women’s Champions League 2024  COSAFA qualifier match against University of the Western Cape (UWC)  in Malawi recently.

Mmolawa said the game marked a historic occasion for Gaborone United as they made their debut and reached the final, adding that it was a significant achievement for the club. 

He said they showed incredible resilience throughout the competition and earned the respect of opponents and fans alike. 

“We are immensely proud of our ladies team performance and reaching our first-ever final in our debut appearance is testament to the hard work, dedication, and resilience of our players and coaching staff,” he said. 

Furthermore, he said they fought valiantly against strong opponents.

He also noted that Keitumetse Dithebe was named player of the tournament while Kesegofetse Mochawe and Jessica Modise made it to the tournament best XI. 

“These achievements are not just individual accolades, but a reflection of the collective spirit and talent at Gaborone United,” he said .

Mmolawa said they were not happy with how their final match against UWC was handled by the match officials.

Mmolawa also said they have noted that COSAFA has issued a media release castigating them for protesting after the shoot-out loss. 

He said their protest was not an act of unsporting behaviour, but rather a response to the unfairness of the match. 

Furthermore, he added that while the referee’s decision was considered final, they could not ignore the implications of his decision, especially when it pointed to incompetence. 

Mmolawa said they believe the incident warrants a thorough investigation and review by COSAFA. 

“We believe it is our duty to advocate for integrity and fairness in football. 

We will continue to uphold these values and ensure that the voice of Gaborone United is heard,” he said.

Mmolawa said they respect match officials, but also believe that every team has the right to a transparent and just outcome in competitions,” he said.

He added that the standard was not met in the finals and that they owed it to their players, fans and the sport to raise the issue.. Ends