Mares booted out of Olympic qualifiers

End of the road: Mares were booted out of the Olympic Games qualifiers by Tanzania. PIC: BFA
End of the road: Mares were booted out of the Olympic Games qualifiers by Tanzania. PIC: BFA

The Mares' interest in the 2024 Olympic Games has come to an end after they were booted out 3-0 on aggregate by Tanzania. Botswana lost 2-0 in the first leg played in Tanzania last week, before a 1-0 reversal at the National Stadium this evening meant it was the end of the road for coach, Mohambi Saulos girls' journey.

It has been a difficult few weeks for the Mares who were booted out of the COSAFA Cup in the group stages and are now out of the reckoning for the Olympic Games which will be held in Paris, France next year.

However, the national side still remains in contention in the Africa Cup of Nations where they face Kenya in the next round. A win over two legs for the Mares will ensure they return to the biennial competition for the second successive time, but defeat will mean the team a fall from grace.

The team parted ways with coach, Gaolethoo 'Ronaldo' Nkutlwisang with Saulos taking over just before the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Gabon last month. Saulos has won three out of seven matches in charge of the Mares which will crank up pressure on the new coach ahead of the Kenya assignment.

Editor's Comment
Botswana at a critical juncture

While the political shift brings hope for change, it also places immense pressure on the new administration to deliver on its election promises in the face of serious economic challenges.On another level, newly appointed Finance Minister Ndaba Gaolathe’s grim assessment of the country’s finances adds urgency to the moment. The budget deficit, expected to be P8.7 billion, is now anticipated to be even higher due to underperforming diamond...

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