With Eyes on Morocco, Botswana’s Mares Gear Up for WAFCON 2025 Amid Rising Hopes and Renewed Support

With less than 50 days before the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) kicks off in Morocco, Botswana’s women’s national football team — affectionately known as The Mares — is in full preparation mode, driven by belief, momentum, and a deepening sense of national pride.

The tournament, which runs from July 5 to 26, is expected to be a celebration of the progress made in African women’s football. As host nation Morocco gets ready to welcome the continent’s top talent, Botswana’s Mares are fine-tuning their strategy under head coach Alex Malete.

“Our preparations are going well,” Malete said this week during a high-level stakeholder engagement hosted by the Botswana Football Association (BFA) in Gaborone. “With less than 45 days to go until our first match against Algeria, I’m proud to confirm that everything is on track.”

He noted that the team’s journey began almost immediately after qualifying for the tournament. “We didn’t wait,” he said. “We got to work in December. Since then, we’ve held both local and international training camps. I’m proud to say that of the 12 teams that qualified for WAFCON 2025, we rank second in terms of the number of games played last year.”

According to Malete, The Mares played 10 matches in 2024 — a year marked by strategic exposure and valuable lessons. “We had the opportunity to face strong teams like Russia, Morocco, and Mali,” he said. “These are nations with a strong pedigree in women’s football. The experience has been vital.”

As part of their continued build-up, Botswana will face defending WAFCON champions South Africa and Olympic qualifiers Zambia in the next FIFA international window starting May 26. Malete described the friendlies as crucial learning opportunities.

“These are big games. Playing against such calibre opponents helps us assess where we stand. It gives us the chance to reflect, learn, and improve,” he said. “With solid planning and preparation, we believe we can do even better — as a team and as a nation.”

A Powerful Partnership

That belief is shared by one of the team’s biggest supporters — First National Bank Botswana (FNBB). Last year, FNBB committed P13.5 million over three years to support The Mares — an investment that transcends financial sponsorship.

Speaking at the same event, FNBB’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Peo Porogo, emphasised the bank’s dedication to sport as a vehicle for national transformation.

“We believe in the power of sport — not just as a game, but as a platform for nation-building, youth empowerment, and shared prosperity,” Porogo said. “That’s why we chose to invest in The Mares — our national women’s team — because they are more than footballers.”

To FNBB, The Mares are icons of resilience and possibility, representing not just athletic excellence but social impact. “They are symbols of strength — of the untold stories of women rising, on the pitch, in boardrooms, and across society,” Porogo said.

“Around the world and here in Africa, women’s football is breaking viewership records, sparking conversations on equity, and driving economic activity — from coaching and broadcasting to merchandising and content creation.”

Porogo stressed the importance of partnership in driving sustainable change.

“No one can do this alone,” she said. “Not government. Not business. Not NGOs. Progress takes partnership. And our collaboration with the BFA is proof of what’s possible when we invest together.”

She added that FNBB is not just “cheering from the sidelines,” but actively stepping onto “the field of shared purpose — backing grassroots growth, building pride, and giving every young girl in Botswana a reason to believe her dreams belong.”

Porogo also reflected on the symbolism of the team’s name. “A mare is strong, sure-footed, nurturing, and resilient. That’s what these players are — fierce, focused, and full of promise. Their journey is not theirs alone. It’s ours as a nation.”

As The Mares prepare to face Zambia and South Africa in the coming weeks, Porogo summed up the national mood: “We stand beside them, not just in support, but in belief.”

A New Global Appointment

In another major boost for women’s football in Botswana, FIFA this week appointed Tsholofelo Setlhoko as a Women’s Football Development Expert — a prestigious role that places her among a select global network of professionals dedicated to advancing the women’s game.

“This is not only a personal achievement, but a victory for women’s football in Botswana,” Setlhoko said in a statement released by the BFA. “I look forward to sharing best practices and supporting the growth of women’s football in other Member Associations.”

Setlhoko’s appointment recognises her extensive experience in football administration, grassroots development, and strategic planning. A central figure in the BFA’s women’s football initiatives, she has long championed inclusivity, professionalism, and the expansion of the game at all levels.

Her new role falls under the umbrella of FIFA’s Women’s Football Development Programmes, launched in 2020 and relaunched in December 2024. The initiative aims to strengthen women’s football globally by offering tailored support to all 211 Member Associations.

BFA president Tariq Babitseng praised Setlhoko’s achievement. “Tsholofelo’s appointment is a testament to her dedication and hard work,” he said. “Her expertise and passion for women’s football are unmatched. We are confident she will make a substantial impact on the global stage.”

The appointment also marks a significant step forward for African women in global football development, both in representation and influence.

“As she embarks on this journey, we know she will continue to inspire the next generation of female athletes and administrators,” Babitseng added.

A Moment of Opportunity

Botswana’s participation in WAFCON 2025 is about more than winning matches. It’s about rewriting narratives and raising the profile of women’s football in a nation still carving out its place on the global sporting stage.

For Coach Malete and his squad, the preparations are intense — but filled with purpose. For sponsors like FNBB, the commitment reflects a broader societal shift toward inclusion and empowerment. And for trailblazers like Setlhoko, the moment signals that Botswana is ready not just to participate in global football, but to lead.

As the countdown to Morocco continues, so too does the march of The Mares — galloping forward with determination, belief, and the hopes of a nation on their shoulders.