Botswana national team striker Thuto Ramafifi will miss the upcoming COSAFA Women’s Championship that will be staged in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in South Africa from September 12-22.

The striker left for West Virginia in the United States on Tuesday where she will pursue her studies and football career.

Ramafifi will be studying Human Resources Management at Salem International University and also playing college football.

The 26-year-old said she was very excited and grateful for this opportunity because her dreams had finally come true.

“I deserve this because I have been working very hard. I take pride in this accomplishment. I will be going to get the best out of the academic and the soccer world.  I am very happy about the opportunity,” Ramafifi revealed in an interview.

Ramafifi previously played semi-professional football in Namibia at Okahandja Beauties Ladies FC from 2009-2010.

“While in Namibia I attended Preliminary FIFA Coaching course. I also did the Premier Skills coaching course in 2015 in Botswana,” Ramafifi said.

Coach Gaoletlhoo Nkutusang said her absence will be a blow to the team. She was, however, happy that it will benefit the country in the long run.

By Gaone Pearl Kerileng