But why the Fallout
Sport
That Botswana Football Association’s National Executive Committee is akin to a falling house is no longer in doubt. A sense of militancy and a mood of infighting dominate the boardrooms of the football association.
WeekendSport has further uncovered information to the effect that so many laid down procedures are disregarded and consultation is easily bypassed. The National Executive Committee is in a bitter battle with their leader, Tebogo Sebego. It has since emerged that a case of a restructuring exercise has further exacerbated matters at the already trouble riddled league house.
Informants say the ugly fall out begun when NEC finger-pointed their admirable president accusing him of maladministration. So burning was the issue that a motion to suspend him was entertained. Later, informants say, an ultimatum was put across that Sebego either resigned or face the fuming NEC.
WeekendSport has since turned up information that BFA authorities signed a contract with Global consultants to carry forward a restructuring exercise. According to sources close to these developments, the contract was forwarded to world governing football body FIFA for funding, without first passing a consultation test within the stubborn NEC. The NEC argues that, at the very least, the legal advisor of the association should have been partaker of the contract.
Angry informants reveal that the president first denied ever working alone or ruling by an iron fist within the NEC, but later let sleeping dogs lie by admitting his sole input after a copy was retrieved from the Association shelves files proving that he indeed signed and endorsed the contract. When asked for clarity, the ever confident BFA president only said, “We will take matters by the strides, and the law shall prevail.”
It is in this light that some members are calling for the contract’s termination and that FIFA be notified of the steps forward, while those in support of the contract believe that such an act will taint the image of the Association, particularly in the eyes of unpredictable FIFA.
It is further established that those who want the matter to be halted until further consultation is done, feel it will be a fruitful move even if the Association’s image is dented. In their eyes, this will give both the Association and the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) adequate time to get back to the reform process. “If FIFA’s image is tainted and everybody knows that, why should it not be the case with our association, in the end it is a good riddance because now a rebuilding process has to follow,” a source quipped.
Misgivings and doubts are dished out about the president, as sources say he cannot be the sole back bone of the association, if he continues to take sides. He is also reminded to stamp his authority and play fair game as the road leading to election is in sight.
His detractors accuse him of sidelining the sponsorship committee and other relevant NEC members in negotiating for a renewal with BANC ABC. They felt it was slipshod of him to face a panel of six people all by himself while it is clear that the association is not tied to him. It is a clear case of trust issues.
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.