When Botswana needed a hero to qualify for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), they turned to familiar faces who had already made history. Keitumetse Dithebe, who scored Botswana’s first-ever WAFCON goal in 2022, delivered again with a crucial strike in the second leg of a tough tie against Kenya, a team that had knocked out three-time finalists Cameroon. Goalkeeper and captain Sedilame Bosija then sealed their spot in Morocco with a dramatic 97th-minute penalty save, a moment she says was the result of intense preparation and prayer.
Dithebe, who hails from Thamaga village, had faced her own battles, including a tough stint in France marked by homesickness. But her breakthrough moment came during Botswana’s 2022 WAFCON debut, when she scored in a 4-2 win over Burundi and held her own against African giants like Nigeria and South Africa. She recalls the nerves before playing childhood idols but credits her senior teammates for urging her to believe in herself. That belief helped Botswana qualify again, bringing celebration to Gaborone and pride to a team still carving out its identity on the continental stage.
Coach Alex Malete, who took interim charge ahead of the decisive matches, described the challenge as the most demanding of his career. Armed with new tools like GPS trackers, video analytics, and increased funding, Malete and his team developed a strategy that paid off. For the coach, back-to-back qualification was not just a milestone but a gateway for players to gain exposure and attract professional contracts abroad.
Despite this high, Botswana’s journey took a dip with a disappointing exit from 2026 WAFCON qualification after a loss to DR Congo a costly failure since the next tournament also serves as a pathway to the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Dithebe called the outcome “embarrassing,” lamenting missed opportunities for growth and visibility.
Still, the mood within the squad remains hopeful. Malete points to the strong spirit in camp and improvements in domestic women’s football, such as the Botswana FA’s push to make the Women’s Championship national. Bosija, a title winner with Mamelodi Sundowns, insists the team won’t let one setback define them, calling it a learning experience.
Looking ahead to the 2024 WAFCON finals in Morocco, Botswana finds itself in a challenging group alongside powerhouses Nigeria, Algeria, and Tunisia. While Nigeria has dominated African women’s football for decades and beat Botswana 2-0 in their last encounter, coach Malete is targeting points against the other two opponents, ranked 82nd and 89th globally. Botswana, ranked 153rd and the lowest in the tournament, is embracing its underdog status but hopes to at least replicate its impressive quarter-final run in 2022.
As the Mares return to Morocco, they carry the weight of a nation eager to prove that passion, preparation, and belief can triumph even against the odds.
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