The Mares went out despite winning their final group stage match against Comoros on Wednesday.
The team won 6-0 against the islanders but needed a favour from Malawi to deny reigning champions, Tanzania a win on Wednesday.
However, as the Mares scored half a dozen against Comoros, Tanzania beat Malawi 3-1 in the other match. The results meant the Mares are getting an early flight home. This is the worst performance by the team in the last three editions. The team arrived in South Africa as a dark horse after promising displays in the previous years. The Mares have reached the semi-finals of the competition in the last three editions.
The team proceeded to the final of the competition in 2020 for the first time as they lost to neighbours South Africa. The local girls had just got home from an impressive 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) debut where they reached the quarterfinals.
The team's head coach, Gaolethoo 'Ronaldo' Nkutlwisang said the team had achieved its objectives and the tournament was a lesson for the future. "Generally, I feel we have done well, we came here and collected five points.
We came here with a young squad. They gained experience in the games they played while they also played with character. We scored seven goals in the games we played while we conceded one. It was a learning curve for those who are new to the team," she said. Ahead of the trip to Gqeberha, Nkutlwisang left behind some of her key players.
The team’s number one shot stopper, Sedilame Bosija was left to fight for her place with South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns. Equatorial Guinea-based duo of Refilwe Tholakele and Kesegofetse Mochawe also sat out the trip as Nkutlwisang afforded them time to settle with their new side, Malabo Kings. Among those missing from the 2022 COSAFA Championship squad were long-serving captain, Bonang ‘Bebeto’ Otlhagile and her defensive partner, Masego Montsho. The Mares had started their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Tanzania.
In the game, the Mares were second best and were happy to get a point from the tie. In the second group stages tie, Malawi held the Mares to a 0-0 draw. The results forced the Mares to win their final group match with a heavy margin to top Group C.
However, the team needed a favour from Malawi. After their 6-0 win, the Mares had fallen short and had to come back home. Attacker, Ontlametse Gaonyadiwe will leave the championship with her head high, as she is the second top goal scorer with five goals.
