The Managing Director of Stanbic Bank, Leina Gabaraane, has called on Batswana to give more support to the local football squad, the Zebras, for it to perform well at the upcoming 2012 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON games. Speaking during the AFCON Cup tour dinner in Francistown, he said that it is imperative that Batswana support the national team to build its morale and confidence.
“For the Zebras to qualify for the AFCON tournament, it is a big achievement to Botswana, therefore there is need for more support for the team to do well,” he said.
Gabaraane said that, as Stanbic Bank, they have always given support to the local football teams and gave the example of the football tournaments they sponsored in Palapye.
He added that by bringing the AFCON Cup into the country for public viewing before the AFCON games begin, it is a way to entice football players and to motivate them.
An official of the Botswana Football Association (BFA), Eatametse Olopeng, expressed gratitude for the active involvement of Stanbic Bank in supporting football in the country.
He said that it was not an easy journey for the Zebras to qualify for the AFCON games.
“I want to thank President Ian Khama, the Coach Stanley Tshosane, Botswana Government, Stanbic Bank and other different sponsors in helping the Zebras achieve their dream of qualifying for the AFCON games,” he said.
Olopeng said that for any team to perform well there is need for it to be supported, especially through sponsorships.
Stanbic Bank, which is the sponsor of the tour, first brought the 2010 AFCON Cup tour into the country in 2009.
This year’s tour began in Gaborone, then Palapye and, lastly, Francistown.
