This is the time - Mares' coach
Kabelo Boranabi | Tuesday February 15, 2022 06:01
However, standing between the team and the historic feat is 180 minutes of regular play over two legs against Zimbabwe. The Mares travel to Harare tomorrow to play in the first leg scheduled for this Friday. Ronaldo and her troops will be seeking some piece of history to reach the AWCON finals for the first time ever. This is a decade after the Zebras played in their maiden Africa Cup of Nations finals held in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
'I believe in God and I also believe in my players. I also believe in my self and that this is the time that we qualify for AWCON. We have been given two games to reach the AWCON (finals) and there is no reason we should not take it. Everyone involved, from the members of the technical team to the players should share the same mentality, if not they are in the wrong place. We are going to Zimbabwe to fight. It is not going to be easy but we will fight,' she said.
Gaolethoo will, however, miss US-based striker Thuto Ramafifi whose absence has remained unexplained whilst goalkeeper, Sedilame Boseja is still nursing an injury that has kept her out of action for almost a year. The coach said they had requested that the shot stopper be assessed by the Mares' team doctors, a request that was turned down by her club, Mamelodi Sundowns. However, Esalenna Galekhutle has joined the team from her base in the USA whilst Zambian-based Mokgabo Thanda has also reported for camp.
The Mares are on the wrong side of the record against their opponents. In seven games played against Zimbabwe, the Mares lost five, won just once and playing to a draw once. 'We should not forget that the games are different as the days are different. We might have not played well against them in the past but in our preparations we have focused on how they play and how we can beat them. I believe now, looking at the way we prepared this time around, we should be ready to face Zimbabwe,' Ronaldo said. The team's captain, Bonang Otlhagile shared the coach's sentiments.
'We have grown as players. We could long been in this position if some things had been done in the past. These days we were availed the assistance of an analyst, that on its own helps our game. So on the players' side we have grown a lot hence also results have improved. This game is so different from the others because AWCON is within reach and those who are here will be working harder to win it,' she said. The return leg will be played on Wednesday, February 23 at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown.