BW football is pathetic- German expert
Sport
A German football scientist Christoph Rocholl’s two months’ situational analysis in Botswana has punched holes in the local football system which he says needs total overhaul.
Speaking in an interview with WeekendSport, Rocholl said two main factors have made football in Botswana stagnant if not regressed. “Basically two factors have contributed; poor infrastructure and lack of properly trained coaches,” he said before adding: “Football is played in green surface but I was surprised to see it played in grey surface, it was my first time in my years of travelling around the world to see this.” He said this referring to grey areas normally seen at the national and Lobatse stadiums.
The German, who is a highly rated football scientist after successfully laying foundation for Costa Rica and Honduras to their maiden World Cup appearances, did not mince his words when talking about local football. “The football is pathetic in all the categories; national teams, premier league and other low divisions. This is primarily because there are no properly trained coaches here hence the display is this low.” Rocholl cited an example of the Mascom Top 8 encounter between Township Rollers and BDF XI, which he said was a “lukewarm game”.
“It was boring, no shot at goal for a premier league team (BDF) in 45 minutes, while both of them failed to connect more than five forward passes. It shows the players are not properly mentored,” he said with a concerned tone. Only Orapa United and Rollers according to the German are shoulders apart from their peers in the elite league. He said there is individual brilliance of skilled players from the two, while pointing out however that, as teams there was nothing outstanding to write home about.
His visit was aimed at analysing the Botswana football situation before presenting Botswana Football Association a prescription of what to do to raise the motionless football. The report, according to the association is expected before end of the year. It is from there that the German will recommend what needs to be done to correct the ailing football industry. However infrastructural development and coaches’ training will top his recommendations chapter. If everything goes accordingly, the German will hit the ground running next year June and has pleaded patience before results starts tickling in.
His words come at a time when various stakeholders have poured scorn over local football quality display. National team coach Major David Bright, Football Union of Botswana and Botswana Football Coaches Association (BFCA) have decried the low standard of football compared to seven years back. Currently Botswana is ranked 150th in world football rankings. The highest this nation has ever gone was 53rd in 2010.
Rocholl is a Sports Scientist who works for the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He has worked in Costa Rica in the 1980's and helped to develop the youth in general and building academies in particular. He has been credited with the rise of Costa Rica who recently made it into the quarterfinals of the World Cup in Brazil (2014). In 2009, he was tasked with developing grassroots football and coaching education in Honduras. “This seasoned Technical Expert has assisted emerging football in nations like India in creating development policies and plans tailored for their skills, abilities and strengths,” reads part of his credentials.
Sport
It’s do or die for Zebras
The senior national team, the Zebras, is currently in Equatorial Guinea to for an African Cup of Nations Qualifiers tie. Before they departed, the team’s coach, Mogomotsi Mpote, had his troops train in Morocco. This was through the agreement between the two countries.
The agreement between the BFA and the Fédération Moroccan Football Association states that the two nations will work together to organize friendly matches between their respective national teams. It also allows the establishment of football camps for the youth categories (U-15, U-17, and U-20), this includes women’s national teams.
The national team has played over 180 minutes in its two qualifying matches against Tunisia and Libya. Currently, the Zebras, Lesotho and Liberia are the only teams that haven’t scored yet in the competition (this is correct by press time on Friday).
Before the match against Equatorial Guinea match, the local boys who were once known as the whipping boys of Africa in the early 2000s, were languishing at the bottom of the log standings in group J. They lost their first match away to Libya on June 1, 2022. However, they managed to salvage a point against Tunisia last year.
Before the team left for Equatorial Guinea, coach Mpote urged his players to focus on keeping their hopes of making a return trip to the AFCON finals alive after an 11 year absence since the maiden appearance in 2012. He noted that they would not allow their opponents to score and would ensure that they would get a draw.
Despite the various changes that have occurred in the two countries’ football landscape, the two teams have only met once before. In 2010, the local boys defeated the Equatorial Guinea team in a friendly match, which ended in an emphatic win for the visitors. Since then, the two sides have realised different fortunes in FIFA rankings, with Equatorial Guinea ranked 51 places above the Zebras.
Meanwhile, in their last six games, Guinea has only managed to win one of them. They drew with Rwanda and Togo in September 2022 friendlies. They have found the back of the net just twice in their six games. On the other hand, the Zebras, won one match against Zambia and lost four on their way to finishing at the bottom of the group with four points. At the conclusion of their previous AFCON campaign, the local boys traveled to Zambia and secured a draw.
MPOTE CONFIDENT
Despite the recent results of the Guinean team, which have only managed to draw with Rwanda and Togo in their last six matches, coach Mpote is still confident that his team will perform well against the hosts.
According to the head coach, the local boys have the necessary skills and resources to perform well against any country. He noted that the team’s coaches have been studying abroad to gain a deeper understanding of the various aspects of football.
“Tactically they should also be ready. We need your (Botswana fans) usual support, when we come back from Equatorial Guinea, we will go to Francistown, and we will need you. You are our 12th player, and you are very important to us.”
OBED ITANI CHILUME STADIUM CERTIFIED
This week, the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) Tuelo Serufho revealed that the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium will host the return leg of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between the local boys and Equatorial Guinea. The venue had initially failed an inspection test conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). However, following the completion of the necessary works, the stadium was allowed to host the match.
According to BNSC Chief, Tuelo Serufho, the various requirements that the stadium must meet included having a designated parking area for the media and spectators, as well as having signage that will guide the spectators. He also noted that the venue now has a world-class media area.
Sport
Jagdish Shah rejects Rollers society
Township Rollers, one of the country’s most decorated football clubs with 15 premier league titles, is finding itself in a precarious situation as its long-term chief financier, Jagdish Shah, threatens to dump them if the society does not bow down to his demand of forfeiting their 20 percent interest in the company.
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Sport
Orange injects P350 000 into Phikwe marathon
Mobile network Orange Botswana is committed to supporting the development of local sport. Through its sponsorship, the company will be able to promote and market the sport. According to Maano Masisi, the company believes that sport can unite people from different backgrounds.
He stated that through the sponsorship of the marathon, the company will help promote healthy lifestyles and unity among the people of Selebi Phikwe.
The Selebi Phikwe Marathon is scheduled to take place on July 29, 2023. It is expected that it will attract international, regional, and social runners. A total of P216 000 has been allocated for the prize money for the first ten places in the 42.2 km race. For the 15km and 10km races, the LOC will give away prizes to the first five places.