Saturday, March 26th is the day that will not easily be erased from the minds of many Batswana, especially those who follow football, the most powerful sport around the world.
Botswana’s national soccer team, the Zebras, made history by qualifying for their first ever appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that will be co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea early next year.
This was after Botswana defeated Chad away by a solitary goal.
Regardless of the outcomes of the two remaining matches, Botswana is guaranteed a place at the soccer jamboree.
All the celebrations around the country should now be put aside and the real work that will lead to even bigger celebrations should start.
As Batswana, we have realized that, with self belief and support from concerned stakeholders, everything is possible.
We call on government to help bankroll the team to thoroughly prepare for the biennial tournament that is the toast of Africa. Afcon is a tournament that normally puts the world at a standstill because most of the African players that normally grace it are famous names in major leagues around the world.
As such Botswana players will be watched around the world because they are going to play against big names and, if they perform well, the country will be heavily marketed.
President Ian Khama is a renowned football lover who normally takes time off from his busy schedule to watch the Zebras matches and even some of the Premier League matches.
His love for football was evident before the crunch encounter against Chad. His government chartered a plane for about 100 supporters at a heavily discounted price.
Right from his army days, he has had a hand in sports development in the country because he helped establish popular BDF XI youth club called Matebejane and most players in the national team come from that team.
As such, he should use his influence to help source a lot of money for the team so that no stone is left unturned before the tournament starts. We always see him spearheading programmes such as housing appeal and more companies have come forward to uplift many poor Batswana. There is a culture in Botswana where most companies making millions in profits don’t support sports. That should be discouraged.
This is a chance for Khama to convince them to come forward and we can see football improved in the country. Once the team is well prepared and performs well, obviously many players from Botswana would play for major leagues such as in France, Italy, Spain and England.
Parents would in turn encourage their kids to take football seriously since they can make a living out of it.
Most football players in Africa are making a lot of money just through football and in a country like Botswana it can also help to diversify the economy that is heavily dependent on diamonds.
Something big should be done for the historic Zebras that have shocked the African football fraternity.
Taking into consideration how powerful football is, the government should handsomely reward the players and the technical staff that had a hand in helping the team to qualify to inspire those who will take over in the future. Players should be bought land and even houses if it is possible.
That always happens in countries that are poorer that Botswana.
Players are given hundreds of US Dollars and even get luxury houses bought for them.
Surely it can be done in Botswana where a lot of money is wasted on projects that do not add much value to the country’s economy. Gone should be the days when players playing elite football are always seen hitchhiking after matches, instead of driving their own cars.
Finally the team has qualified after travelling a long and hard road that was riddled with complexities.
Congratulations should go to all those who have been there for football. There are individuals and companies that used their resources to help football and results are beginning to come in slowly.
Hopefully, with the help of the government and private companies Botswana will one day be a force to reckon with in Africa and even the world. Once again we join Batswana in congratulating the Zebras!
