How Wafcon 2024 will be 'a dream' for underdogs Botswana

Keitumetse Dithebe scored the goal which secured Botswana's qualification for Wafcon 2024

When they needed a hero in qualification for the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), Botswana could count upon a history-maker from the last edition of the tournament.

Facing a two-legged tie against opponents who had eliminated three-time Wafcon finalists Cameroon, the Mares drew 1-1 in Kenya thanks to Keitumetse Dithebe's strike and a 97th-minute penalty save by goalkeeper and captain Sedilame Bosija.

Dithebe, who struck the country's first ever Wafcon goal from 25 yards as a 19-year-old in 2022, settled a 1-0 second-leg win to seal a return to Morocco, where the previous finals were also held.

"In the dressing room, the pressure was too much," said Dithebe.

"But I told myself, 'I'm going to score'."

Bosija's brilliance was also crucial.

"That save, that moment - we'd practiced it," the 27-year-old keeper recalled. "I just said, 'God, guide me'. I guessed right. And it worked."

A debut to remember

Born in the village of Thamaga, Dithebe would sneak out to play football as a child while her mother, who was concerned about her schooling being affected, was out of the house.

The player overcame a difficult spell playing in France, where she suffered from homesickness, before opening Botswana's Wafcon account in a 4-2 win over Burundi three years ago.

Dithebe was "very nervous" before her finals debut and group stage meetings with nine-time winners Nigeria and eventual champions South Africa, but Botswana advanced as one of the best third-placed teams.

"Some of the players were like my own mothers, the ones I looked up to," she remembers.

"When I met them on the pitch, I felt like, 'Am I going to do this or not?'.

"In Botswana, we don't have many players around Europe, so sometimes playing the best is very, very difficult.

"It's like, 'Why am I competing with the best when I'm playing at a lower level?'."

Dithebe credits her older team-mates with her momentous start to the tournament.

"I knew what I have and what I'm capable of. I felt the pressure then and said, 'Why am I afraid to do this?'," she said.

"I scored the goal because they were very, very aggressive - telling me, 'Come on, you can do this'."

'The dream was to qualify again'

Botswana celebrated reaching the 2024 Wafcon finals on home turf after Sedilame Bosija's last-gasp penalty save in their away leg against Kenya

Botswana boss Alex Malete, who initially assumed interim charge of the squad shortly before the decider with Kenya in November 2023, describes that tie as "the biggest task of my coaching career".

"You have two games against not just any country, but Kenya - a team that had just knocked out Cameroon," reflects the 35-year-old, whose remit was to lead his team to international competition.

"The pressure was insane. Kenya came in with full confidence, knowing that a dream was about to become reality.

"They were playing Botswana, who there's nothing big to say about in terms of history."

Malete worked with video analysts to put together a telling tactical plan, with increased sponsorship and support from the Confederation of African Football and the Botswana Football Association allowing investment in equipment including GPS tools, specialist training cameras and data tracking systems.

"You can imagine what qualifying back-to-back means for us. The dream for us was to qualify again," he added.

"We know that will give our players an opportunity to play at a competition with a bigger audience in terms of scouts, so they are able to get professional contracts."

Are the Mares at a crossroads?

Qualification brought dancing and jubilation to the capital city of Gaborone, and this year's finals takes on extra importance for Botswana.

That is because the Mares are already out of contention for the 2026 finals after an own goal, a defensive error and a string of missed chances resulted in a 2-0 aggregate defeat by DR Congo in February.

Dithebe calls the situation "embarrassing" and rues the "exposure and income" players could miss out on with no major tournament next year.

The failure to qualify is extra costly as the 2026 Wafcon will decide which African sides will represent the continent at the 2027 Women's World Cup.

However, Malete was still hugely impressed by the spirit his players showed in their attempts to turn the tie around.

Their determination, he says, partially reflects the belief and healthy environment around the squad, and he points to the "amazing" growth of the game in Botswana, where the FA have prioritised making the Women's Championship national for the first time next season.

Bosija is defiant.

"We can't let just one game determine how we go forward and how we move," says the South African champion with Mamelodi Sundowns.

"It's just one of those games where you learn."

The most daunting name in Botswana's Wafcon group is Nigeria, who have triumphed at all but three of the tournaments since 1998 and won 2-0 when the nations met three years ago.

Malete is pragmatically targeting points against Algeria, who are ranked 82nd in the world, and Tunisia, who are 89th.

At 153rd, Botswana are the lowest-ranked team in the competition by some margin but their aim is to at least repeat their run to the 2022 quarter-finals.

'Expect more from me this time'

Dithebe, who has won league titles in Botswana and Turkey, is inspired by Atletico Madrid and Nigeria forward Rasheedat Ajibade

Dithebe shone at the Cosafa Women's Championship in South Africa last year, including a goal in Botswana's 5-0 win over Mauritius as part of an unbeaten group stage.

A move to ABB Fomget followed in January, earning a pathway to the Uefa Champions League next season by winning the Turkish title.

Her dream is to play for Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, while English football also appeals.

She knows that her performances at Wafcon 2024 could shape her future, but is confident she can make an impact once again.

"Expect more from me this time," Dithebe said, her voice steady. "I'm not just going to play. I'm going to prove something."

"This time, I'm going in with belief. It's another door I want to open not just for me, but for younger girls watching.

"I will keep the dream, keep going, keep pushing."