02 Jul 2025

The national women’s football team, The Mares, are ready to showcase their strength at the 2024 TotalEnergies WAFCON, kicking off this Saturday in Casablanca, Morocco.

The team is in Group B with Algeria, Nigeria and Tunisia, and their first assignment will be against Algeria on Sunday. They will thereafter face Nigeria on July 10, followed by Tunisia on July 13. The Mares physiotherapist, Unoda Chepete stated in an interview that the team was free of injuries, noting only minor knocks and bumps typical for players  during training. She mentioned that some were carried over from the player’s respective clubs but there was currently no player with an injury that could affect their ability to play effectively.

“Even at training they are very consistent with stretches, and the physical trainer and performance coach helps them with good stretching techniques,” he said.

Chepete said injury prevention was top priority at their camp to enable smooth performance of the team. She encouraged players to stay hydrated, as proper muscle function relied on well-functioning mitochondria. Mitochondria is part of a cell responsible for producing the energy needed for its survival and proper functioning, therefore, Chepete explained that without proper hydration, the body became strained due to lack of essential nutrients reaching the cells. She stressed that water played a vital role in the recovery process.

A football physiotherapist plays a crucial role in both injury prevention and rehabilitation for players. They assess, diagnose, and treat musculoskeletal injuries, develop and implement injury prevention programs, and create rehabilitation plans for injured players. Additionally, they work to optimise players performance and help them return to the field safely after an injury. ENDS