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Botswana goes solo on 2027 AFCON bid

Confederation of African Football (CAF) has revealed that Botswana has thrown its name for considerations amongst six countries which have applied to bid for the biennial tournament, despite Namibia dropping from the initial joint bid to host Africa Cup of Nations 2027.

It has since emerged from the five other bidders, Botswana is expected to face fierce competition from two Arabic nations thus Egypt and Algeria. The North African side, Egypt hosted the tournament in 2019 while Algeria host the African Nations Championship (Chan), the pan-continental tournament for locally based players this year.

Practically this means the two countries are unlikely to struggle when it comes to infrastructure requirements by CAF and they can even host it next month should Caf award them the rights. Furthermore, three East African neighbours (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania) also submitted a joint expression of interest to host the biennial tournament.

However, it is unclear how much investment will be needed to allow either Botswana’s or the East African bid to succeed. Kenya has just one stadium approved for international games by Caf, the Nyayo National Stadium in the capital, Nairobi

According sources, the Bid Technical committee was told by Minister Tumiso Rakgare to instruct the Botswana Football Association (BFA) to submit the expression of interest. Furthermore, the sources informed this publication that the major challenge the country will face will be the issue of stadium as Caf needs a total of six stadia with one having a capacity of over 40 000 seats while requirement of co-hosting is eight stadiums.

Before ditching the joint-bid on the eleventh hour which put Botswana on a limbo. Namibia were to provide three stadiums whereas Botswana was to build five stadium. The good source however told this publication that, the now secretly guarded facility audit report indicates that, billions of pula’s will be needed to put infrastructure in place should the bid succeed just under four years before the kickoff of the tournament.

Also Francistown was chosen as the prospective venue in which will host both opening and closing game and before that over 2000 Caf delegates expected to convene for the general assembly. WeekendSport has since gathered that, since Botswana has submitted that they are going solo on hosting Afcon, they will not be given the chance to rope in any country for a possible joint-bid as the deadline has since surpassed.

When approached for comment last week after Namibia pulled out, sports analyst Jimmy George said, “It’s really expected given the global economic downturn we are all headed for hard times. Honestly we don’t have the resources to go on by ourselves.

The project is too costly and if we were to carry a cost benefit analysis, it’s just not worth it. The ambition to host is plausible and the idea of co-hosting still remains the best possible option.” George believes after five years, the country will rejoice how the 2027 Afcon bid didn’t work out.

When further quizzed if it’s too late to rope in another country, “Is it too late to involve other countries or perhaps we should look at 2029 without breaking the existing momentum? That’s a pertinent question that only be answered by the committee.” he noted

Moreover, Minister Rakgare is expected to address the press conference which will be held next week in which he will outline how the government will tackle the bid.

Caf has since announced that the next step will be 23 May 2023 as the deadline for member associations to submit their final bid, including all bidding and hosting documents (hosting agreement, host cities agreement, government guarantees) which should be duly signed.  The inspection and scrutinizing of the bid documents will begin on the 1st of June to 15th, and the selection of the tournament’s host country will be announced before September.

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BFA slow-stepping efforts in Wilson’s quest for citizenship?

18th March 2024

A quarter of a year ago, Zebras’ strategist, Didier Gomes Da Rosa, took a decisive step by enlisting midfielder Brandon Wilson, who flexes his soccer prowess at Ha Noi Football Club (FC) in Vietnam.

Yet, the 27-year-old sensation found himself benched before the game even started, due to his Australian nationality, despite his roots firmly planted in Gaborone, Botswana.

Fast forward to today, and Wilson’s name is still missing from the latest Zebras’ lineup for the forthcoming four-nation friendly extravaganza set to unfold in Madagascar.

Pundits from the local football arena argue that this tournament, starring The Zebras alongside Madagascar, Rwanda, and Burundi as hosts, presented a golden ticket for Wilson to unveil his skills, merge his playstyle with his teammates, and pass down his seasoned insights to the squad.

Looking ahead, The Zebras face a rugged path in their 2026 World Cup Qualifiers Group, battling titans like Algeria, Somalia, Guinea, and Uganda—teams studded with Europe-based talents. Integrating Wilson into the team now would be nothing short of strategic.

Amidst this saga, a ray of hope shined through a High Court ruling, suggesting the Botswana government’s nod towards dual citizenship, potentially giving the BFA the nudge it needed to expedite Wilson’s case.

Yet, as 2023 unfurls, Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Anna Mokgethi, hinted at a six-month timeline to legislating this change. “We’re laying down the legal and procedural groundwork to enable dual citizenship. This process will span at least six months.

This waiting game could be pegged to aligning with the court of appeal’s decision.

“This buffer is designed to ensure a seamless transition, enabling talents like Wilson to clinch their Botswana passports and don the Zebras jersey,”

On the V.League 1 Table (Vietnam) – 2023/24 front, Wilson’s squad, Ha Noi FC, is holding sixth place after 13 showdowns, boasting 19 points—a commendable feat for their freshman year in Vietnam’s Elite League.

Since his leap to Ha Noi FC on September 5, 2023, Wilson has left his mark on 15 matches across domestic and AFC Champions League arenas, an impressive feat for his inaugural season.

In a recent WeekendSport dialogue, Da Rosa sung praises of Wilson’s gameplay. “Wilson’s mastery of the field, his spatial awareness, and ball reception, earmark him as a midfield marvel. His strategic positioning is a lesson in discipline, a skill set our team can greatly benefit from.

“He’s a crucial cog in our quest toward the 2026 World Cup dream,” Da Rosa said.

 

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Kemoeng’s departure opens doors for School sports – BOSETU

18th March 2024

The departure of Kitso Kemoeng from the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture has been met with a sigh of relief by many, particularly by the Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU). Kemoeng’s tenure as Permanent Secretary was marked by a lack of progress and engagement on the issue of reinstating school sports, which has been a crucial aspect of child development in Botswana.

BOSETU had accused Kemoeng of being a stumbling block to the resuscitation of school sports, citing his arrogant and anti-engagement attitude towards the issue. His transfer to the Botswana Public Service College has been seen as a positive development by the union, as it signals a clear message that non-delivery and lack of vision will not be tolerated within the government.

The union has expressed confidence in the new Permanent Secretary, Bright John, who is expected to bring a fresh perspective and understanding of the importance of sports and culture in the holistic development of children. The absence of school sports in Botswana has had a detrimental impact on the youth and the development of sports in the country, and it is imperative that immediate action is taken to reinstate these programs.

According to BOSETU the departure of Kemoeng from the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture is a step in the right direction towards reviving school sports in Botswana. The union and other stakeholders are hopeful that under the leadership of Bright John, progress will be made in ensuring the well-being and development of the youth through sports. It is time to breathe a sign of relief and look forward to a brighter future for school sports in Botswana.

 

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Will Makhwengwe’s exit halt Tafic’s remarkable streak?

24th February 2024

The abrupt severance of ties between Tafic Football Club and its erstwhile commander-in-chief, Philemon Makhwengwe, colloquially celebrated as the “Spin Doctor”, has sent ripples through the football aficionado community, given his laudable stewardship in the 2023/24 Botswana Premier League (BPL) crusade. The narrative of Matjimenyenga, as Tafic is affectionately dubbed, narrates a saga of resilience, having faced the ignominy of relegation to the Debswana First Division North on two occasions prior.

The chronicle of their fall from grace in 2018, settling at a dismal 14th place with a record marred by more losses than victories, delineates a club in dire need of strategic revival. Fast-forward to the present campaign, and the transformation under Makhwengwe’s aegis has been nothing short of remarkable. At the cessation of 16 rounds, Tafic perched at the fifth position with 24 points is a testament to an emboldened renaissance.

However, the plot thickened on the 20th of February, 2024, as Tafic pronounced the departure of Makhwengwe from his coaching pedestal via a Facebook communiqué, a move that bewildered the football-watching public. Discrepancies surfaced, with reports attributing his departure to discord with the club’s upper echelons over proposed adjustments within the technical team, painting a picture of internal discord.

Makhwengwe, a tactician revered for his prowess in architecting footballing triumphs, has been instrumental in Tafic’s ascent from the quagmire of league standings to a commendable sixth position. This leaves the footballing realm in suspense over Tafic’s trajectory post-Makhwengwe, especially after their recent conquest over Gaborone United, thrusting them into a formidable league position.

Amidst this backdrop of controversy, where Makhwengwe’s own assertions conflict with the official narrative – oscillating between resignation and dismissal – the saga unfolds with layers of intrigue. The spectacle calls into question the capacity of Tafic to sustain their impressive run. The precedence set by Cote D’Ivoire’s astonishing turnaround at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a managerial upheaval offers a glimmer of unpredictability inherent in football, though juxtaposing club football dynamics with international fixtures holds its own set of complexities.

As Tafic grapples with the loss of one of Botswana’s most esteemed coaching figures, the overarching question looms: How will this episode influence their fortunes as the season wades into its critical junctures? With the BPL already witnessing a carousel of coaching departures, Tafic’s saga adds a compelling chapter to the unfolding narrative of a league characterized by flux and fervor. The departure of Makhwengwe not only marks a pivotal moment for Tafic but underscores the perennial dance between stability and upheaval in the quest for footballing glory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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