Development

Close Call! Banyana Banyana Triumph Over The Mares In Nail-Biter

May 30, 2025

In a spirited showdown, Botswana’s senior women’s national team, The Mares, put up a brave fight but narrowly lost 3-2 to the reigning WAFCON 2023 champions, South Africa’s Banyana Banyana.

The match was part of the exciting 3 Nations International Friendly Tournament, which features top-tier talent from South Africa, Botswana, and Zambia. Despite the defeat, The Mares showed resilience and determination on the pitch.

A big shoutout to Lesego Radiakanyo and Laone Moloi, who found the back of the net and kept Botswana in the game with two impressive comeback goals.

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The Mares Display Heart In Tri Nations Challenge

Botswana’s senior women’s national football team recently concluded their campaign in the prestigious Three Nations Challenge, hosted by South Africa from 28 May to 3 June at the Lucas Moripe Stadium. The series saw spirited competition between Botswana, South Africa, and Zambia, as teams continued their preparations for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers.

Despite narrowly missing out on the top prize, Botswana showed immense character and growth throughout the tournament. The Mares kicked off their campaign with a thrilling encounter against the African champions South Africa, narrowly going down 3-2 in a tightly contested match. The team bounced back with a determined performance against Zambia, securing a 1-1 draw and demonstrating resilience and tactical discipline.

Final Tournament Results:

South Africa 3–2 Botswana

Botswana 1–1 Zambia

South Africa 2–0 Zambia

South Africa’s Banyana Banyana were ultimately crowned champions of the series, winning both of their matches to take the top spot. The tournament offered valuable game time and experience for all participating nations, and Botswana’s technical team, led by Head Coach Alex Malete, will take key insights from these fixtures as they refine the squad for the crucial WAFCON fianals.