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Senior National Women’s team make passionate plea as they prepare for AWCON qualifiers

Apr 9, 2021

The Botswana women senior national football team has called on the nation to rally behind them as they open their year with a series of camps and friendlies that will see them go head-to-head with our neighbors, Namibia in the first round of the Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualifiers in June 2021.

Despite the prevailing challenges of no footballing action in the country courtesy of the Covid-19 pandemic, the ladies are upbeat and oozing with confidence that they will triumph in all their set quests. Currently in camp, women’s senior team have rigorously been preparing well as they look to gain more positives against their opponents.

Captain Otlhagile (17) taking a breather during training

Team captain, Bonang ‘Bebeto’ Otlhagile says the mood in their camp is high as every player is yearning and armed with a desire to represent their country and do well particularly with regards to the forthcoming encounter against Banyana Banyana of South Africa this coming Tuesday, April 13, 2021.

Bebeto noted that her teammates know what is at stake as they start their preparations for the looming AWCON, which will be held in Morocco next year, 2022.

“Most of us have been training on our own, in our own spaces because of covid-19. We have missed football so much and we are happy now to be back in action, to do what we love and represent our beautiful country of Botswana. Just by wearing national colours is more than an honour for us. The girls are working extremely hard to gain fitness. The mood here in camp is at an all-time high, we want to use these friendlies to help us perfect our skills to qualify for AWCON. We must be ready by June when the round robin qualifiers start. We have built a family as a team, so it’s always nice when we meet and play for one another and the nation,” said Otlhagile.

Goalkeeper Boseja (green) in action

Meanwhile, The Mares goalkeeper, Sedilame Boseja expressed the same sentiments adding that despite the long dry spell of no footballing activity in the country, individually the girls have been training on their own. She pleaded with the nation to support the team as it embarks on a qualification quest towards the coveted African showpiece.

“I strongly believe individually we have been training, looking at how easily we understood the combinations brought by our technical team. We therefore ask the nation to rally behind us, to motivate and support the team wholeheartedly. Obviously, we want to be that generation that makes history by qualifying,” said Boseja.

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BOTSWANA U-20 WOMEN EXIT WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS WITH PRIDE AFTER HOME VICTORY

The Botswana U-20 Women’s National Team bowed out of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers 2026 on a positive note after securing a 1–0 victory over Cameroon U-20 Women’s National Team this past weekend, despite a 5–1 aggregate defeat.

Having suffered a heavy 5–0 loss in the first leg played on 7 February 2026 at Olembe Stadium in Cameroon, the Young Mares showed resilience and determination in the return leg at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium.

Forward Mbapeua Hangara scored the decisive goal in the second half, giving Botswana a deserved win in front of their home supporters and demonstrating the team’s fighting spirit until the final whistle.

Head coach Tapaphiwa Tracey Gaebolae expressed pride in her players performance and attitude, emphasizing the positive response after the first-leg setback.

“We are very proud of the girls. Even though we didn’t get the result we wanted in Cameroon, we came here with a positive mindset. The message to the team was that we needed to score more goals, stay organized, and believe in ourselves and I think the players responded very well.” Coach Gaebolae alluded at the post match Technical press conference.

Despite exiting the competition, the Young Mares leave the qualifiers with valuable international experience and renewed confidence, highlighting the growth and potential of women’s football in Botswana.