Tholakele, Montsho miss Turkey camp

Mamelodi Sundowns’ forward, Refilwe Tholakele and Masego Montsho of Security Systems will be absent from the Mares’ training camp in Turkey. The Mares depart for Turkey tomorrow to kick-start the first of three international training camps ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 finals. The team’s head coach, Alex Malete, has selected a 22-member squad for the Turkey camp, with Tholakele notably missing out.

Tholakele, a key figure in the team’s qualification for the WAFCON, will miss the initial training camp due to injury, despite her significant contributions at club level for ‘Banyana Ba Style’. Tholakele, a prolific fivegoal striker in the CAF Champions League, is expected to recover by next month and be included in the WAFCON squad.

Reliable centre-half Montsho will also be absent as she participates in trials in China with Chinese Women’s Super League side, Henan Jianye FC. The team seeks defensive reinforcements, having conceded the highest number of goals (41) in the 12-team Chinese Super League.

Other notable absentees from the Turkey trip include USA-based Esalenna Galekhutle, who returns to the Mares’ roster after over a year of absence, along with Double Action’s duo Balotlhanyi Johannes and Peggy Manewe.

Malete has maintained the core of the WAFCON qualification team and included several Under-20 talents, including skipper Desiree Kenyaditswe and midfielder Precious Tlhapi. The Mares will be in Turkey from February 18 until March 2, participating in the Antalya Women’s Cup 2024, a four-team competition featuring Russia, Thailand, and Belarus. The Mares will face Thailand on February 22 in the opening game of the Antalya Women’s Cup. Following the Turkey camp, the team will have two additional training camps in Saudi Arabia and the USA ahead of the WAFCON 2024 finals in Morocco later this year.

The travelling squad

Goalkeepers: Sedilame Bosija (Sundowns, SA), Tlamelo Pheresi (GU), Bame Mokime (Double Action)

Defenders: Lone Gaofetoge, Kesegofetse Mochawe (both GU), Veronica Mogotsi, Desiree Kenyaditswe (both Double Action), Lorato Motlogelwa (Makufa)

Midfielders: Nancy Baeletsi, Golebaone Selebatso, Annah Sechane, Atang Busang (all GU), Mokgabo Thanda (Yasa, Zambia), Precious Tlhapi (Makufa)

Attackers: Michelle Abueng (BDF), Nondi Mahlasela (Prisons), Keitumetse Dithebe, Gaonyediwe Ontlametse (both GU), Lesego Radiakanyo, Leungo Senwelo (both Double Action), Jessica Modise (Mexican Girls), Lesego Keleboge (Systems)