Zebras/E.Guinea home clash might be played abroad

Chakalisa Dube | Monday February 27, 2023 16:00

CAF has ordered that remedial works must be undertaken to bring the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium to the required standard to host Category Three and Four matches PIC MORERI SEJAKGOMO

Letshwiti was addressing the media on Saturday here, a day after he toured the stadium. He was accompanied by the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) officials during the tour. The Obed Itani Chilume Stadium was registered as the venue for the Zebras 2025 AFCON qualifying clash against Equatorial Guinea late next month. However, early last month the stadium failed a CAF inspection to host Category Three and Four matches. CAF ordered that remedial works must be undertaken to bring the stadium to the required standard to host Category Three and Four matches.

The AFCON qualifier is a Category Three match. The BNSC is currently working on upgrades as recommended by CAF and the BFA recently wrote to the African soccer governing body giving assurances that the stadium would be ready for the Equatorial Guinea clash. CAF is yet to issue a replay. But if CAF gives the BFA a less favourable response, it means the Zebras will have to play the match outside the country. Letshwiti said the BFA has not started talking with neighbouring countries with a view of hosting the Zebras if CAF does not give them the go ahead to use the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium. He, however, said the Zebras have several alternative venues to consider if the reply from CAF is not positive. “We have a lot of friends in the region. We will probably take the match to South Africa, Zambia, or Zimbabwe. But let me emphasise that there is a slim chance that the match will be played outside the country. The reason I came here is to ensure that the remedial works are completed timely and the match is played at Obed Itani.” He added: “The upgrades at the stadium are nearing completion. We have not yet started talks with our friends with reference to playing our next home match in any of their countries because we are very confident that our own facility will be ready. ”

The BFA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mfolo Mfolo chipped in by saying: “It is clear, if CAF says that we will not play our home match at Obed Itani we might consider Dobsonville Stadium in South Africa.” If Zebras does not get the go ahead to play its matches at home, it will be joining another SADC nation, Namibia, who have been playing their home matches abroad. The Brave Warriors have been playing its home matches at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto, South Africa after its facilities were banned by CAF.

• Suitability of Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in doubt • Stadium undergoing upgrades