The tie is a send-off match for Banyana Banyana ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup that runs from July 20 to August 20 in New Zealand and Australia.
Banyana Banyana are making their second appearance at the world showpiece while the Mares came close to qualification during the 2022 Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The send-off match will also give the Mares some time on the pitch ahead of the COSAFA Women’s Championship set for later this year. However, there is a sense of disapproval within the Banyana camp ahead of the Mares tie. Banyana Banyana’s attacking midfielder, Jermaine Seoposenwe has said Botswana is not an ideal match as the team needs stronger opponents to prepare for the World Cup.
The Mares are ranked 150th in the world and 29th in Africa while their weekend opponents are 54th in the world and they are the second-best team in Africa after Nigeria.
Banyana are pitted against tough opponents Sweden, Italy and Argentina in Group G and had hoped to face tougher opponents in their preparations. Banyana Banyana has played Brazil and Serbia among others in their preparations for the World Cup while they are scheduled to face World Cup-bound Costa Rica just before the tournament kicks off. "In terms of Botswana, as a team, we would have liked to play a stronger team but it’s a send-off match and we will go there and do our best.
We will prepare well for Botswana, we know they are a tough team. They sit back and every time we play them, they are very defensive and try to catch us on the counter,” Seoposenwe is quoted by South African online publication, Timeslive. Despite the South African camp looking down on the Mares, the tie is held in high regard by the Botswana Football Association (BFA) hierarchy. The Mares have been struggling to secure friendly matches and the South African invitation has come to the rescue.
BFA chief executive officer, Mfolo Mfolo hosted the team for a pep talk on Thursday morning prior to their departure. He said the Mares should treat the tie with seriousness and try to get one over their nemesis. “We have been struggling to secure a friendly match for you. One of the reasons being, the travelling costs and logistics. But for South Africa to ask a challenge from us, is an honour beecause they are the number one team in Africa. They are the champions of Africa and they are going to the World Cup.
But one thing is that we do not fear them. We are saying let them come and we will beat them," Mfolo said. The Mares have called up a very strong squad for the friendly match. South African-based duo of Sedilame Bosija and Refilwe Tholakele are in the squad alongside Double Action’s playmaker, Segakolodi Didukunyane and Gaborone United’s hard-working defender, Lone Gaofetoge. However, there are big omissions as US-based forwards, Thuto Ramafifi, GU’s goal poacher, Kelebogile Magaga and central midfielder, Annah Sechane are not in the squad. The match will kick-off at 3pm. The Mares left for South Africa yesterday and are expected back home on Monday.
The Mares squad Goalkeepers: Sedilame Bosija (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Bame Mokime (Double Action), Lesego Moeng (Security Systems) Defenders: Goitsemang Tlamma, Lone Gaofetoge (both GU), Pearl Sikwane, Masego Montsho (both Security Systems), Veronica Mogotsi (Double Action), Kesegofetse Mochawe (unattached), Nancy Baeletsi (Prisons Xi) Midfielders: Obonetse Rathari, Lesego Radiakanyo, Segakolodi Didukunyane (all Double Action), Seleatso Golebaone, Keitumetse Dithebe, Maatla Tlhobogang (all GU) Forwards: Refilwe Tholakele (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Leungo Senwelo, Balotlhanyi Johannes, Otlametse Gaonyadiwe (Double Action), Lone Moloi (Security Systems).
