09 Jul 2025

The senior women national football team, The Mares, players have vowed to give their all during the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Group B clash against Nigeria in Morocco on July 10.

Already, the team lost their opening game against Algeria 1-0 on July 6 and are now in third position of Group B, currently led by Nigeria with three points, Algeria lie in second position with three points while Tunisia are perched at the bottom of the group. This defeat, according to the players, does not sit well with them as they are of the view that they could have done better, and probably secured maximum points. They said they understood the importance of playing well against Nigeria. 

In an interview, the team’s defender, Lone ‘Black ball’ Gaofetoge who missed their opening game due to accumulated yellow cards during the qualifying games, said should coach Alex Malete give her a nod on July 10, she would work with the team to bring positive results.

Watching the team against Tunisia on the stand, she said her peers worked hard but luck was not on their side. She said they were left with no choice but to redeem themselves against Nigeria and collect maximum points. Midfielder, Nancy Baeletsi said they would play against Nigeria with confidence, adding that it would be a total different ball game.

“This time around, we are going to display everything we practiced during training, and we are aware that there will be no room for errors,” she said.

Baeletsi said looking at the Group B standing they stood a chance to make it to the next stage. However, she said that would need them to work hard, if they were to realise their dreams of proceeding with the tournament. Laone ‘Lotta’ Moloi said she was aware that they needed to be clinical in front of the goal and utilise all their scoring opportunities. She said losing the first game does not mean that they were “down and out,” adding that the loss served as a wakeup call for the team. 

“As players, we have identified our mistakes, and in that regard we are committed to fight for the badge. We request the nation to be patient with us, and give us the support,” she said.

She further said their intention was to make it to the quarterfinals, adding that they were aware that the nation expected a lot from them and would make them proud. ENDS