Botswana’s senior women’s national football team coach Alex Malete says he is encouraged by the Mares’ progress in training for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Saturday.
He spoke to the Botswana Football Association media ahead of the first-round first-leg match at Obed Itan Stadium in Francistown.
“From the time we started camp on 2 February, we see progress in everything, what we do in training and in terms of the energy that we carry around. The focus and the commitment are there,” Malete said.
Malete said his target was to ensure that they get past the Congolese and get into the final qualifying round.
He said: “The chemistry for us is very good. We want to get over the first hurdle against DRC. For us it is always an honour to represent our country.”
The Mares' America-based stars Esalenna Galekhutle and Masego Nfandiso have since described playing for the national team as an honour.
“I feel more encouraged in the national team as I play with better players. I learnt a lot from them,” Galekhutle said. On the other hand, Nfandiso chipped in saying: “It is a privilege to represent the national team. I am representing my home country and I am playing for the badge.”
Esalena plays college soccer at William Carey Soccer whereas Taider is on the books of Bryant & Stratton College. The duo is part of a group of eight foreign-based players called in.
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