The Mares had to recover from conceding six minutes into the game with a 20th minute smartly taken goal by Otlametse Gaonyadiwe in the tournament opener played on Friday afternoon.
The midfielder managed to outwit the goalkeeper as her strike was beyond the goal minder’s reach. The two goals were enough on the afternoon in what was a hard fought contest as the two sides ended settling for a draw.
The team’s head coach, Gaolethoo ‘Ronaldo’ Nkutlwisang had dropped some of the key players from 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) squad for younger talents. The team’s skipper, Bonang Otlhagile and the abroad based entourage of Sedilame Bosija, Refilwe Tholakele, Kesegofetse Mochawe and Mokgabo Thanda missed the trip to Gqeberha, South Africa.
The Mares are a dark horse for the championship honours having reached the semi finals in the last three editions of the tournament. The team will face their biggest test this afternoon as they take on holders Tanzania.
The East Africans are topping Group C after a statement win over Comoros in their opener. Tanzania will feel they could have scored more from the tie but bagged the maximum points with a 3-0 win.
The Mares will desperately need to be at their best to enhance their chances of proceeding to the knockout stage. Tanzania are ranked higher than the Mares and it was historical first meet between the two teams.
The Mares had shown great defensive structure against Malawi, however, worries would be in the attacking areas. From their Friday game, Tanzania would pose great threat for the Mares’ defense As they are physically superior as compared to the local girls. The tie will kick of 3.30pm.
