Mares deliver pleasant Independence Day present
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Monday October 3, 2022 16:00
The game was part of the country’s 56th Independence Day celebrations. The first 10 minutes of the match were quite eventful with the Mares surviving an early scare as Namibia piled pressure from the first whistle.
The early onslaught from the Brave Gladiators, as Namibia’s national women’s team is affectionately called put Mares defence on the back foot.
However, the home side managed to absorb the pressure and survived as Namibia's attackers failed to capitalise.
The Mares then quickly settled and found their way around Namibia's defence but their goalkeeper made two brilliant saves to deny the home side an early lead.
The home side broke the deadlock in the 18th minute through Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse after a brilliant through ball from the middle. She controlled the ball well, showed composure and easily slotted past the Namibian goalkeeper, much to the excitement and cheers from the home supporters. Despite trailing, Namibia still proved to be dangerous going forward with Yvonne Kopper being a constant threat to the Mares defence.
Fortunately for home side, the goalkeeper was always alert and cut all the dangerous balls into the box. With seven minutes remaining before the halftime break, the Mares executed another brilliant move into Namibia’s box resulting in another brilliant goal.
Striker, Nondi Mahlasela received the ball in the box and chipped over an advancing goalkeeper to increase Mares lead. The Mares went into the halftime break carrying a 2-0 lead.
Three minutes into the second half, Namibia reduced the deficit through Kopper who had been threatening the Mares defence from the first whistle. The Mares lost possession of the ball in the middle of the park and Kopper received the ball on the edge of the box, beat her marker and shot over Mares goalkeeper. Mares technical team introduced couple of substitutions including exciting Mexican Girls midfielder, Segakolodi Dudukanyane.
Her introduction had an immediate impact and her runs gave Namibian defence a torrid time. Mares managed to hold onto the lead to wrap up the Indepence Day activities in style.