'Ronaldo' guided the Mares to the knockout stages of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) finals on their debut appearance but there was speculation she could be axed.
As the Mares assembled in camp to prepare for the tournament to be held in Gqeberha, South Africa (SA), there were reports of a shake up in the technical team.
Mmegi Sport can confirm Nkutlwisang missed some of the team’s training sessions, with the Botswana Football Association (BFA) women's football technical officer, Barobi Ngwako taking charge of the workouts. “It has not been clear if the coach would be traveling to South Africa. She missed some of the training sessions in the last week.
She was in for the team’s training on Wednesday and also on Thursday morning, which means she might go afterall. There is a belief that the BFA want to replace her with someone else. Barobi might go with the team, alongside technical director (Tshepo Mphukhuti) while it is also not clear on assistant coach (Alex Malete),” a source disclosed.
Mmegi Sport is further informed that the history-making gaffer will lead the team in SA. BFA is said to be ready to dismantle the Mares’ technical team. There is also talk of the BFA making the Mares’ head coach job a permanent post. Contacted for comment, BFA chief executive officer, Mfolo Mfolo said ‘Ronaldo’ remains the Mares’ coach and the association is yet to decide on the team’s technical setup. “Gaolethoo Nkutwisang is still the coach for the senior women national team. The decision for the position to be permanent will be taken by the National Executive Committee.
This is not an issue (whether Ronaldo will be traveling to COSAFA). She is the coach of the team," Mfolo said. The Mares are in Group C alongside reigning champions, Tanzania, Malawi and Comoros. The team will begin their campaign against Malawi on September 2, before taking on Tanzania on September 5. They round-up the group matches against Comoros two days later. The winner of the group stages advances to the semi-finals alongside the best-finished runner-up. The Mares reached the final of the COSAFA Championship in 2020, their best ever achievement. The team is expected to leave for Gqeberha early next week.
