21 Oct 2024

The senior women football national team, The Mares are in South Africa where they would want to win the A HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA women’s championship from October 22–November 02.

They are in Group B, and their first fixture will be against defending Champions Malawi on October 23, followed by Mauritius on October 26 and two days after they will take Madagascar to seal their group stage.

The last time the Mares made an impressive mark was in 2020 when they won a silver medal after losing to the host Banyana Banyana 1-0.

However, in this year’s edition, individual players have vowed that time is now for them to lift the COSAFA trophy.

The team vice-captain Nondi Mahlasela said they were prepared for the tournament and they would be also using it as Women’s Africa Cup of Nations preparation.

She said they they were aware that it was not going to be easy, but they were equally prepared for all the challenges.

Turkey based defender Lone Gaofetoge said she was confident that they would lift the trophy.

“I think this time morale in camp is better compared to all the other years, we all want it more,” she said.

Gaofetoge said she was aware that the fact that she was playing in Turkey means all eyes would be on her, but she said she was not under any pressure but her role in the field would be to play as a unit with her team mates

Jessica Maponga said she would be making her debut at COSAFA, and if given a chance to play, she would do her best to help the team to achieve the ultimate goal of winning the trophy.

She said she is aware that Botswana has never won the trophy, adding that through unity and team work they would break the jinx. 

“I played with some of Malawi players at under 20 level who have since graduated to the senior team, so we know each other,” she said.

For her part, Jessica Modise said there was only one language in camp, which is to win the trophy.

“To be honest, Malawi are the defending champions and I was curious to see how they play and I managed to watch one of their videos and I realised that they depend on their wings most of the time, and if we can close them, then we are home and dry,” she said. Ends