Lesotho, Namibia next on Mares' menu
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday March 30, 2024 12:24
On Monday, the Mares assembled for a training camp, which runs from April 1-9 as CAF is yet to announce the tournament's dates for the finals to be held in Morocco. The 2024 WAFCON was to be held in winter but the continental mother body wants the tournament around November to pave the way for the final rounds of the 2024 Olympic Games qualifiers and the Olympic Games in August. A 25-member squad has reported for duty as the Mares assembled for their second training camp. In the first, the Mares travelled to Turkey for a four-team tournament that was to feature Russia, Belarus and Thailand.
The team lost 4-0 to Russia and managed a 2-0 win over Swiss side, FC Zurich. The Mares never played Belarus and Thailand. In the second camp, the team will this time face familiar opponents. Lesotho are ranked 177th in the world, 24 places below the Mares. Namibia on the other hand sit at number 126, which is 27 spots above the Mares. The local girls were victorious the last time they faced Namibia as they eliminated the Brave Gladiators from the 2022 WAFCON qualifiers. The Mares' head coach, Alex Malete, is without forward, Refilwe Thokakele and defender, Masego Montsho for a second training camp in a row. Tholakele is out with an injury she sustained earlier this year while Montsho is given time to settle with her new side, Henan Jianye FC in the Chinese Super League. Forward, Masego Nfandiso, returns to the team after a two-year hiatus. The US-based forward joins the team as she is enjoying good form in the US college football with Bryant & Statton College. Former Under-17 forward, Dimpho Sedirwa, made the squad and is the only player from the north of Dibete in the squad. Gaborone United's Laone 'Lottah' Moloi's good form has seen her keep her spot in the squad while Sedilame Bosija and Thanda Mokgabo represent the foreign contingent in the team.
The full squad
Goalkeepers: Sedilame Bosija (Sundowns, SA), Bame Mokime (Double Action), Tlamelo Pheresi (GU)
Defenders: Kesegofetse Mochawe, Lone Gaofetoge (both GU), Desiree Kenyaditswe, Boitumelo Gammu (both Double Action), Lorato Motlogelwa, Neo Repito (Makufa)
Midfielders: Thanda Mokgabo (Yasa, Zambia), Nancy Baeletsi, Laone Moloi (both GU), Precious Tlhapi (Makufa), Obonetse Rathari (Double Action)
Attackers: Keitumetse Dithebe, Atang Busang, Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse (All GU), Nondi Mahlasela (Prisons), Dimpho Sedirwa (Western Dynamites), Leungo Senwelo, Lesego Radiakanyo (both Double Action), Jessica Modise (Mexican Girls), Michelle Abueng (BDF XI), Masego Nfandiso (Bryant & Statton College, USA)