The Botswana Football Association (BFA) suspended Sesinyi over allegations of sexual misconduct. As per a press statement from the BFA on Wednesday, the former national executive member is suspended pending investigations into the matter. The suspension comes at a time Double Action are preparing for the third edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifiers.
The tournament kicks off in 12 days and the team has lost a key figure in Sesinyi. The tournament runs from August 30 until September 8. Speaking to Mmegi Sport this week, Monene said the players are ignoring the suspension talks and are fully focused on the business on the football pitch.
“We cannot say anything really regarding the chairperson’s suspension. So far we are trying to prepare, trying to be ready. So we cannot dwell much on what the BFA has issued and there are no worries in our camp,” he said.
Double Action have been pitted against the tournament’s defending champions, Green Buffaloes of Zambia, Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) and new entrant, Ntopwa FC of Malawi. The local champions avoided Green Buffaloes in the last two editions while in 2021, Double Action beat LDF 6-0. Ntopwa FC is an unfamiliar opponent.
“I think our first game against Green Buffaloes will be the toughest in the group. I think that’s the game we should give our all if we want to go to the semis.
Green Buffaloes might have lost some players to Europe but they are the defending champions, and that means they can cause an upset; they are the favourites and we are the underdogs. Double Action did not lose in the last edition and conceded just once and teams should be concerned about us,” Monene said. The ‘Star Stripes’ are aiming to reach the final of the competition after finishing third in the last year’s edition.
Double Action are one of three teams to appear in all the editions of the competition and have progressed up to the semi-finals in the last two editions. Monene said the target is to reach the final of the competition.
“Looking at the groups and the judging from last year’s performance and 2021, there is a progression in our performance. It is a win-win situation, only if we can prepare well. We want to reach the final; that’s our target. If you are in the final you can take it anywhere,” he said. Double Action are assessing the Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse who pulled a muscle in a 3-1 win over the Mares’ Under-20 recently. Goalkeeper, Bame Mokime, forward Leungo Senwelo and captain Veronica Mogotsi are recovering from flu.
Three more players are to join camp next week after being given leave due to school commitments.
