Zebras’ CHAN campaign ends before it starts
Mqondisi Dube | Saturday October 12, 2024 10:38
Out of the 54 CAF members, 42 went into the hat for the draw and the Zebras were conspicuously absent. The Botswana Football Association (BFA) has been coy with details, up until press time as to why the Zebras were not part of the draw. Sources indicate the association did not submit the team's name due to lack of funds. 'I think it was an issue of priorities since it is clear the association has been facing funding problems,' the source said. In July, the Zebras were on the verge of failing to travel to South Africa for the COSAFA Cup after the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport, and Culture turned down the association's request for funding. Before that, the BFA had also seen their request for the government to foot coach, Didier Da Rosa Gomez's salary bill rejected. Last month, the Zebras were stuck in Mauritania owing to poor travel arrangements.
The Botswana National Sport Commission has since instituted an investigation into the incident. The Zebras are in Cape Verde where they played their third 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier yesterday. They face the same team in Francistown on Tuesday, and the BFA has assured all is well this time. 'All is well with the Zebras, no issues,' BFA CEO, Mfolo Mfolo said. However, he could not be drawn to comment on why the team was not included in the CHAN draw. The BFA president, Tariq Babitseng, said he would have to get information on the decision to opt out of CHAN. 'I will have to get information and get back to you. Maybe it was an issue of budget and priorities, but since I was not in office then, I will have to find out first,' Babitseng said.
Meanwhile, Brandon Wilson, who had indicated his willingness to play for the Zebras last year, has made little progress in acquiring Botswana citizenship. Wilson, who was born in Botswana to English parents, moved to the United Kingdom and later relocated to Australia. The defensive midfielder turns out for Liga 1 side, Bali United in Indonesia. Last year, Wilson received a call-up to the Zebras but citizenship issues have delayed his debut. 'Brandon was not comfortable with denouncing his citizenship at the time and preferred dual citizenship,' Mfolo said.