WAFCON 2024: Botswana Minister dares Mares ahead of Super Falcons clash

Botswana’s Assistant Minister of Health, Lawrence Ookeditse, has challenged the country’s senior women’s national football team to play for their careers when facing Nigeria’s Super Falcons.

He addressed the Mares in Morocco ahead of the meeting with the record Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) champions on July 10, 2025.

Ookeditse has since urged the players there was no bigger honour than representing Botswana at the WAFCON finals.

“This is like the highest stage on the continent…how many people are watching?” the minister explained.

“How many teams are watching? All of you are being watched. You are not playing for the coach and head of delegation. You are playing for yourself and your families.

The Minister added: “It is very important that you keep your head high. Don’t ever put yourself in a situation that would make you believe someone is better than you. We are better than the team we will play against, and I know you are going to do well.”

The Mares lost 1-0 to Algeria in a Group B opener played at Père Jégo Stadium on Sunday, July 6 2025, in Casablanca. Alex Malete’s girls must now dust themselves and face the pre-tournament favouries, Nigeria, at Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca.

Malete said he was still optimistic his charges would find their way into the knockout stages of the competition. The Super Falcons and Algeria are the joint leaders with three points apiece while Tunisia and Botswana have no point.