Women's teams in battle for diamond throne
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday July 7, 2023 11:44
It is a long journey that started last year and reached almost every corner of the country. The run to the finale had a record-breaking 137 teams participating in 11 of the 17 regional leagues across the country.
It is now down to four teams as the throne for the women's football champions is just 180 minutes of regulation within reach. The winner of the finale will books a place in the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifiers scheduled for later this year. There is also an extra incentive with a P250,000 winners’ prize from the sponsors and diamond traders, DTC Botswana.
The quartet of reigning champions, Double Action, Gaborone United (GU), Western Dynamites, and Granada Wanderers FC will do battle tomorrow. Double Action was pitted against Western Dynamites in the semi-final draw held this week.
This is a typical Goliath vs David contest. Tournament minnows, Western Dynamites became the first team to secure a championship finale spot after winning the Northern Block playoffs. ‘The Happy Hippos’ had to sweat as they squeezed through on goal difference.
The team was tied on six points with Orapa All Stars and Heritage FC but a better goal difference aided Western Dynamites through. The Maun-based side will have a mammoth task tomorrow as they face a well-oiled machine in Double Action. The defending champions are beaming with confidence ahead of the tie. Double Action had match practice as the majority of their players travelled with the Mares to South Africa where they beat Banyana Banyana 5-0. Forward, Ontlametse Gaonyadiwe is expected to cause all sorts of problems for the travelling ‘Happy Hippos’. The 23-year-old is enjoying a purple patch with a 200% goal record in the Gaborone City Regional Football Association (GCRFA) Division One.
She scored 24 times in 12 games and a hat trick against Banyana on Sunday. Double Action also boosts the talents of Segakolodi Didukunyane, Balotlhanyi Johannes, and Bame Mokime within their ranks.
The two teams will square off at the Lekidi East pitch while in the Lekidi West pitch, GU and Granada Wanderers will be in action. The visiting Granada Wanderers did not have the smoothest path to the finals. The team won twice and drew once in the Eastern Block playoffs. However, the team possesses great threat in front of goal with 72 scored in the Selebi-Phikwe Region Football Association league while conceding just two times.
Their opponents, GU finished second in the GCRFA Division One and went on to finish the playoffs unbeaten. The Reds Ladies kept three clean sheets in the playoffs as they scored 14 goals. The team is blessed with much-attacking firepower as forwards Kelebogile Magaga and Keitumetse Dithebe are expected to take the team to the final. The duo contributed just under 30 goals in the run to the finale. The semi-final games will kick off at 8am. The third-place playoff will be played at the National Stadium at 2:30pm while the final is scheduled for 5:30pm.
What you need to know Ticket Prices: Free Venue Capacity: 22,500 Projected weather conditions: Sunny with temperatures at a maximum of 26º Celsius. 10% chance of rain. Humidity at 40% and wind would blow at eight kilometres per hour. Entertainment: Charma Girl Gate Open: 7am Final Kick-off: 5:30pm