Raizor led Double Action to the championship triumphs in 2022 and 2023. The coach, who has over the years evolved into a prominent figure in youth and women's football, crossed over from Double Action to Gaborone United (GU) recently. Monene joined the Reds Ladies after the completion of the Gaborone City Region Division One where he finished second to his new side with Double Action. He had his coaching debut in red a fortnight ago during the DTCB Women's Championship South Block playoffs. GU had a seamless run under Monene over the past two weekends as they won the playoffs to secure a place in the DTCB Women's Championship Top 4.
The Reds averaged six goals per match as they scored 18 in just three games and did not concede. GU will look to make it past their tournament's best run after they lost in the final to Double Action in 2023. The team joins Top 4 debutants Tawana Top Girls, Makgabz City, and Granada FC. The latter is the most experienced side of the quartet as they make their third appearance in as many DTCB Women's Championship finals. A new champion will emerge over the weekend in the absence of two-time reigning champions, Double Action. In the Top 4 draw held on Wednesday at Lekidi Centre, GU take on Makgabz City while Tawana Top Girls face Granada FC in the other semi-final. The semi-finals will be played at the Lekidi grounds this afternoon (Friday) with the kickoff times set at 3pm. The third place match will be played at noon Saturday while the tournament decider is scheduled for 4pm.
Makgabz City is the lesser opponent in the David versus Goliath fight with the Reds. The team was the first from the Western Block to reach the final four. The Pegions Queens were established just two years ago and made their competitive debut in the 2023 season. They secured a place in the final four with 3-0 over Gantsi United in the Western Block playoff final, which took place in late May. Makgabz City have shallow pockets compared to their semi-final opponents and would be hoping to pull an upset. In the other semi-final, Granada FC will look to inch a step closer to a place in the final after appearing in all the Top 4 editions. The team has, on two occasions, failed to go beyond the semi-finals and has fourth place as their best finish. The 2023 Botswana Football Association (BFA) awards team of the year would feel they are in a contest with a team of their weight in emerging Tawana Top Girls.
The Boteti Region champions shocked many as they finished above Western Dynamites in the Northern Block playoffs. The team scored 12 goals in two wins and a draw in the block playoffs while they conceded just once. The four teams will play a maximum of 180 minutes each in regulation time to have a chance at the six-figure tournament prize and a place in the regional qualifiers of the 2024 CAF Women's Champions League to be played later this month. The winners pocket P250, 000, which should serve as a motivation for all the teams to go for broke.
