Government intervention saves Zebras

Monitor Editor | Monday June 20, 2016 07:30

The victory however comes in the backdrop of a painful experience, with no funds for adequate preparations, as well as having had to live with the controversy of the local football league that was threatening to rob the national football team of as many as eight regulars.

Yes, Township Rollers and Mochudi Centre Chiefs players were due to play a league decider during the week, forcing the Zebras coach to avoid selecting them for his final week’s preparations.

That was until government stepped in and rescued the situation for the now proud nation, ordering the Botswana Football Association that the hosting of the league decider cannot be allowed to clash and interfere with the National football team programme.

The results of this decision have been a smile on the football-loving nation. It was not only the danger of missing key players that the Zebras had to contend with during the build up to Namibia clash. With no funds, the Botswana team was set to drive all the way to Windhoek, because they could not fly.

Now the results of a long trip on the road could have been catastrophic; tired from the long trip, the Zebras may not have been able to play to their level best to deliver the results that have every proud Motswana now walking tall.

We thank Government for coming to the rescue of the nation by asking the army to come on board and fly the national team to Namibia and back.

While we commend the government in particular the Minister responsible for Sport Thapelo Olopeng for the timely interventions, we would also like to encourage him not to be discouraged by arm-chair critics who see his hand in these critical matters as self-serving.

We encourage the Minister to keep on having his eyes on the ball, including taking certain decisions that need to be taken to rescue the situation and bring pride to our hearts as football loving nation.