04 Sep 2025

Gaborone United ladies football club aka the Red Roses have been commended for representing the country with distinction.

The team defeated Zesco Ndola Girls of Zambia 4-3 on penalties to be crowned CAF Women’s Champions League (COSAFA Qualifiers) for the first time during the competitions final in Johannesburg, South Africa recently.

The team is also COSAFA’s sole representative at the CAF Women’s Champions League final.

Speaking at the team’s homecoming event on September 3, acting Minister of Sport and Arts, Lawrence Ookeditse commended the team for making history to become the first team in Botswana to achieve such a feat.

This, he said proved that Botswana football success was likely to come from women’s football.

He further applauded the technical staff and club director for the team’s success as well as supporters for their vibrancy.

Even though he appreciated the Red Roses for showing that it was possible, Botswana Football Association (BFA) president, Tariq Babitseng thanked the Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB) for ensuring that there was tournament where GU were crowned the DTCB Women’s Football Championships winners.

“Without DTCB’s support, there would have been no platform for teams to showcase their talent. It is because of their investment that the Red Roses rose and went on to conquer Southern Africa and brought glory to Botswana. DTCB, your partnership has made a difference, and we call on other corporates to follow your example and be counted,” he said.

He highlighted that FIFA had committed substantial funding to the growth of women’s football.

He further noted that BFA also continued to benefit directly from the support, adding that the key highlight was the approved US$298 000 (over P4 million) specifically dedicated to launching BFA’s National Women’s League, a historic investment into elite competition.

Beyond funding, he said FIFA continued to assist BFA in coaching education, grassroots development, football administration and safeguarding programmes, ensuring they not only build great teams, but also protected and empowered players.

“With FIFA, CAF and our partners by our side, the future of women’s football in Botswana is brighter than ever. The growth of women’s football is no longer an ambition, it is our reality. The Red Roses have shown us what is possible, and now we must ensure that every girl, from Kasane to Mochudi from Bokspits to Shakawe, has the opportunity to dream and achieve,” he said.

The team’s manager, Owe Mmolawa said the Red Roses win proved that with vision, investment and unity, women’s football in Botswana could rise to the top.

He said the Red Roses became pioneers, writing their names in the history of the nation’s sport and inspired every young girl who dared to dream of playing football.

“Today, we celebrate. Tomorrow, we raise the bar. That is why, alongside this historic achievement, we are proud to reference the Red Roses Transformation Strategy, our roadmap to build on this victory and establish a legacy of excellence in women’s football,” he said.

Mmolawa said their strategy rested on five key pillars, governance and professionalism, sporting excellence and financial sustainability, branding as well as fan engagement. ENDS