Fierce competition and quality football is expected in the inaugural Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB) Women’s National Championships to be played this coming weekend.
The national championship will see 8 women football teams that have won their respective regional leagues come face to face over three days to determine who will be crowned the champion of champions.
According to sources, the first phase will see teams drawn into two groups in a round-robin system. Group winners and runners-up will then qualify for the semifinals where victors will eventfully fight for supremacy in the finals.
Commenting on the national championships, Botswana Football Association National Executive Committee Women representative, Lobito Ncube said the DTCB championship is a platform for good things to come for the women football.
“We are expecting the championship to be tough and for the team to set the tone and reveal the women talent. The DTCB sponsored championship is geared towards improving the level of competitiveness in women competition,” observed Ncube.
She further explained that the coming on board by DTCB is an opportune time for regions and women football to grow and be organised. Ncube is hopeful the championship will arouse more attention and keep football alive so that it can attract the same attention male counterparts are getting.
“Next season we expect tough leagues across the regions because teams would like to compete and take part in the national championship. This will assist in spreading women football across the country,” she said.
The eight regional champions who have qualified for the nationals are Orapa All Stars from Boteti region, Green Lovers Ladies FC from Central North region, Granada FC from Selibe Phikwe region, Francistown United, Royal Fighters from Kgatleng region, Nhabe and Mexican Girls from Kweneng region and Double Action representing the Gaborone region.
While women football goes from strength to strength, Ncube has once again pleaded for more support to enhance women participation and to improve on quality of women football.
“We need more aid to spread the game and improve on women football, there is a lot of potential in women football. They have proved themselves in the recent past in the international competitions. More support and stakeholders must come in so that clubs and women show their case,” said Ncube.
She said the BFA desire is to see women football across the country run by qualified administrators, referees and coaches. The winners of the tournament will get a floating trophy, medals and prize money.
The tournament will start this coming Friday, June 10th and end on Sunday June 12th 2022 at Lekidi football Headquarters. Entrance is free.
