By Agnes Amondi,

The Botswana Under-17 women’s national team were left heartbroken on Tuesday night after the country’s football association announced that they will not travel to Morocco for the return leg of their World Cup qualifier over fears of the Coronavirus outbreak.

Morocco has so far registered two cases of the deadly virus.

The side lost the first leg 1-0 in Gaborone last month and were hoping to reverse the score in Morocco.

In an interview with Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development Permanent Secretary Kago Ramokate, he revealed they have advised Botswana Football Association not to travel because of the health risk to players.

For her part, Under-17 coach Tapaphiwa Gaebolae said they will just have to accept the decision, even though it is painful for the team.

“We wanted to make history by being the first team from Botswana to qualify for the World Cup, but now our dreams have been shattered.

“Honestly, we were going to reverse the first leg result, we cannot do anything now but we will play in the COSAFA Under-17 Women’s Championship which will be held in Mauritius next month.”