Sundowns goalkeeper dropped from Botswana’s COSAFA squad

Botswana’s Mares have arrived in Nelson Mandela Bay for the 2022 COSAFA Women’s Championship without Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Sedilame Bosija, writes Kabelo Boranabi.

The Mares are in South Africa following a successful debut Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) appearance.
The team had reached the quarterfinal stages in their maiden appearance. The Mares also missed out on one World Cup inter-continental playoff spot.

The team is seen as one of the ‘dark horses’ in this year’s edition of the COSAFA Championship.

A first semi-final reach in 2019 was followed by a final appearance in 2020, where the team lost to Banyana Banyana.

In the last edition, in 2021, the Mares were once again in the semi-finals. The Mares reached the knockout stages on three occasions, a record for the team.

Coming down south to the COSAFA Championship, the team’s coach, Goalethoo ‘Ronaldo’ Nkutlwisang, has left behind some of her key players.

Topping the list is Mamelodi Sundowns’ goalkeeper, Sedilame Bosija. She has been the Mares’ number one since debuting as a 16-year-old.
The newly signed Malabo Kings of Equatorial Guinea duo of Refilwe Tholakele and Kesegofetse Mochawe have missed the trip. They have been given time to settle at their new club.

The 26-year-old Tholakele was influential in the team’s WAFCON campaign after scoring two goals, and her services will be missed dearly.
Long-serving captain, Bonang ‘Bebeto’ Otlhagile and her defensive partner, Masego Montsho, have also missed the trip to the championship.

Zambia-based Mokgabo Thanda of Yasa FC will also sit out of the trip as the team’s coach, Nkutlwisang, is trying the new blood. The Mares are in group C with reigning champions Tanzania, Malawi and Comoros. They start their campaign against Malawi on Friday before a Tuesday clash against Tanzania.

They finish off the group stage ties against Comoros two days later.