The Mares head coach, Alex Malete, remains confident that his team can overturn the 2-0 deficit against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier this evening. The match, set to take place at the Complexe Omnisports Stade des Martyrs at 5 PM, is a crucial fixture for Botswana as they fight to keep their WAFCON qualification hopes alive.
Following their disappointing first-leg loss in Francistown last week, the Mares face the challenge of securing a decisive victory to avoid elimination in the preliminary round. Failure to do so would mark the end of their successive appearances at the WAFCON finals.
Speaking during a press briefing in Kinshasa on Tuesday, Malete expressed disappointment over the home defeat, believing his side had been the better team. Despite their current predicament, he remains optimistic about the team’s ability to turn the tie around.
However, the Mares’ stay in the DRC has been far from smooth. The team’s bus was attacked earlier in the week, and their training sessions were disrupted by delays in switching on the stadium lights. Malete also lamented the lack of a police escort for the team, adding to their challenges ahead of the critical encounter.
Despite these setbacks, Malete urged fans to have faith in the team, emphasizing that mental preparedness would be the key to success. “Have faith in us, we know what is at stake. The most important thing for tomorrow’s game, more than the tactics, is the mental preparedness of the team,” he stated. “We are ready, and I can assure our fans that we are capable of turning the scoreline around.”
The Mares have a strong record in away WAFCON qualifiers since 2021, boasting three wins and a draw in their last four outings. They have also been prolific in front of goal, scoring 11 times, though their defensive struggles remain a concern, having conceded in all four matches.
A victory for Botswana tonight would set up a high-stakes clash against South Africa in the final round of qualifiers scheduled for October. With everything on the line, the Mares will be aiming for a historic comeback to keep their WAFCON dreams alive.
