Botswana head coach, Alex Malete has vowed that his team, the Mares, will put up a stronger, more determined performance when they face Nigeria’s Super Falcons in their second Group B match at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Thursday.
Following a disappointing opening defeat to Algeria, Malete hints his side will start games with greater intensity and avoid conceding cheap goals early.
“We have a lot of work to do in our second match and last match, but we are still positive that we will advance towards the knockout stage.”
”Going to the last two games, we need to be very proactive. We cannot always wait for the break to make things right and make it easy for our opponents in the first half.”
Malete spoke particularly of the opening 45 minutes where Botswana looked vulnerable in their first game.
“By giving them goals that shouldn’t have been goals, so we need to first improve that and also improve the resilience, especially in the first half.”
He reiterated that Botswana earned their place at the tournament and must now show they truly belong by playing with confidence from the first whistle.
“Because we are here because we qualified. We are here because we deserve to be here, but we don’t start games like we deserve to be here.”
”We need to start stronger.”
Botswana are aiming for their first-ever qualification to the WAFCON knockout stage, but standing in their way is a vastly experienced Nigerian side eyeing a 10th continental crown.
Despite the odds, Malete insists Nigeria’ Super Falcons will meet a fired-up Botswana squad hungry to prove their worth.
