The senior national team players are owed thousand of Pula in some allowances from the previous camps. This was confirmed by the Botswana Football Association (BFA) communications officer, Tumo Mpatane. According to Mpatane the BFA is working around the clock to pay all what is due to the players before the team departs to Moruleng, South Africa to take part in the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA).
“There are outstanding allowances from the previous engagements. The money will be paid once it is released from The Botswana national Sport Commission,” Mpatane said.
He explained that the BFA is only responsible for the daily camping allowances but the appearance fees are paid by the sporting mother body, BNSC.
According to Mpatane whenever the BFA is unable to pay the allowances on time the players would be informed that that their money would be paid late. “We inform the players so that they too appreciate the financial constrains faced by the BFA. We never leave them in the dark about their allowances,” said Mpatane.
Asked what the team’s target in the upcoming COSAFA, he said, “The team is going there to compete, groom and develop depth. We want to use the tournament to gauge our performances against the likes of Angola.”
He said the team would have done well if they reach the quarter final stages. “We expect the team to advance to the next stage form the group stage,” he said.
Botswana is in the same group with Angola in the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. After the tournament the coach will have a true picture of where to improve ahead of the crucial important fixture of AFCON later in September against Angola. Zebras expected to be away to play Angola on the 7th September.
Senior national team head coach, David Bright called 30 players and reported for camp on Sunday and the remaining ones were expected to join others yesterday (Monday). The players will be released on Wednesday to join their teams to play in the final fixture of the BTC premier league. “The team will be expected back again to report for camp next Monday where they will go for full strength camp until their departure to Moruleng. COSAFA want only 20 players to be registered hence we expect the technical team to finalise the team by the 24th May,” Mpatane said.
