Maun’s Western Dynamites alias ‘The Hippos’ have defended the Nhabe Women’s Football League championship following their victory at the regional playoffs that were held at Maun Sports Complex over the weekend.
Western Dynamites won their first game 23-0 against Etsha Green Stars from Gumare stream and defeated The Lords Sporting from Shakawe stream 5-0 in their final game to collect six points from the two games they played. The Lords have secured second position with three points while Etsha Green Stars took position three with no point.
The Hippos will represent Nhabe Region at the DTCB Northern Block playoffs where they will face Tutume Soccer Angels from Tutume, Tawana Top Girls from Boteti and Panda United from Chobe region. The Northern Block playoffs will be held in Francistown on the 1st-2nd June 2024 and the team that wins will qualify for the DTCB Top 4 Tournament.
In an interview, Western Dynamites Coach Tizhani Zibochwa said that going into the playoffs their intention was to win all of their games. Zibochwa noted that currently they are mainly focusing on emerging victorious at the Northern Block playoffs, so that they can stand a chance to proceed to the DTCB Top 4 tournament where they intend to secure the second spot.
Zibochwa had told Times Sport that goal setting is key to their achievements as a team. He stated that his players are passionate to play the game of football and that makes it easier for him to guide them as coach.
The Lords Sporting Coach Phontse France said that his team had many injuries going into the games and during the two games they played, which affected their performance. France has also placed blame on the match officials and the management, citing that they were denied clear opportunities such as free kicks and a clear penalty during the first half of their game against Western Dynamites.
‘‘I am very worried about officiating of our games, Nhabe region should correct that, there is a bit of unfairness, we were denied clear scoring opportunities which were given to the opposing team,’’ he said.
However, France said that he was happy with the way his team played despite the challenges faced. He also commended Western Dynamites for their victory and good performance indicating that the team would likely proceed to the DTCB Top 4 tournament if it continues with its good play.
Etsha Green Stars Coach Kuhungera Ben said that they went into the games as underdogs and their main intention was to gain experience. He stated that playing against experienced teams in the league was a learning curve therefore that would be helpful as they go back to the drawing board.
Nhabe Region Women’s League Committee Secretary Malebogo Bojosi had previously expressed that they are concerned about the high number of teams that drop out during the league in both of the Nhabe Streams. Bojosi stated this is due to different challenges that are facing their teams and women in particular.
She revealed that due to financial constraints some of their teams fail to honour all of their games hence they end up dropping out from the league. According to Bojosi, some women drop out from their teams due to different reasons that include pregnancy, jobs and lack of commitment.
Meanwhile, in the previous season Western Dynamites qualified for the DTCB Top 4 Tournament where they took position three after taking position one at the Northern block play offs that were held in Orapa at Itekeng Stadium and Orapa JSS from the 10th-11th June 2023.
Double Action won last year’s DTCB Tournament walking away with P250 000, Gaborone United pocketed P150 00 after getting the second position, Western Dynamites received P100 000 while Granada FC walked away with P50 000.
