Botswana Under 17 girls team has to win against Morocco today to keep their 2020 FIFA World Cup qualification dream alive.
The two will lock horns in the first round qualifiers slated for the National Stadium. The World Cup is billed for India in November.
The local girls will enter the pitch with a lot of confidene after thrashing Zimbabwe 7-0 in the preliminaries.
However, the Moroccan girls will also be optimistic after doubling the local girls score to humiliate Djibouti 14-0, also in the preliminaries.
Coach Tapaphiwa Gaebolae said Morocco was a closed book to them, except establishing that their opponents had a height advantage.
“We only managed to see their senior national team play, and we used it to derive their style of play, although they might not play the same formation or style,” she said.
She said her main concern was whether her combinations would come to the party, and not how Morocco would play.
She, however, said the team was prepared, adding that they played two friendly games against Lesotho on Saturday and Sunday.
Furthermore, she said they used the friendly games to try different combinations and to give all the players the opportunity to prove themselves.
“The team is in good shape although we have two minor ankle injuries, and the doctors are observing the players and will give us feedback,” she said.
The coach said she has introduced new players in the goalkeeping and defence department to tighten up her squad so that they could overcome their opponents.
While Morocco might be a hard nut to crack, the local side intends to weather the storm to ensure that they do not play under pressure in their second leg scheduled for Morocco.
Team captain, Lorato Motlogelwa said they were ready for Morocco, and that the girls were looking forward to the game.
“We are psychologically and mentally fit, we played against Lesotho and identified our weak points which we rectified,” she said
Goalminders are Katso Gaorelatlhe, Thobo Monageng and Sihle Mothusi
Defenders are Lorato Motlogelwa, Pearl Sikwane, Loraine Lombala, Keamogetse Maano, Desiree Kenyaditswe and Keitumetse Thomas.
In the midfield, Botwana will pin their hopes on Precious Tlhapi, Lone Kgalaeng, Dimpho Sedirwa, Tshiamo Johnson, Christinah Monyatsi, Neonyane Jautse, Neo Jautse, Tlhompho Gabana, Bofelo Rantsho and Lesego Pineng to help ensure their dream.
The strikers are Jessica Modise, Serati Modisenyane, Peggy Manewe and Kewarona Kelaotswe.
The game kicks off at 6 pm and entrance is free. BOPA