IT’S OUT OF OUR CONTROL!
BFA blame FIFA for bizarre kick-off times
Amid a potential backlash over the timing of the Zebras’ opening 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the Botswana Football Association (BFA) have absolved themselves of any blame over the scheduling.
The long road to America, Canada and Mexico starts in Francistown this Thursday, with Mozambique first-up for Da Rosa’s side, followed by Guinea in Ghetto five days later.
However, with both matches set to kickoff at 3pm, a time when most are still stuck at work, there are real concerns over just how many fans will make it to the 26,000 capacity Obed Itani Chilume stadium.
With BFA originally advertising the Mozambique fixture for Saturday and then the Guinea game for 7pm on Tuesday, the switch has not gone down at all well with the supporters.
In a brief interview, BFA Communications Officer, Oteng Temo, explained the change was enforced by the sport’s governing body, FIFA, and has absolutely nothing to do with them.
“We had no say in it. We wrote to them [FIFA] requesting they move the starting time of the first fixture from 3pm to 7pm, but they didn’t agree, stating their reasons, which are beyond our control,” she informed Voice Sport.
Chief among these reasons, according to Temo, is the busy schedule, with FIFA having to cram in several international games into a limited time frame. This resulted in a few alterations, including both Zebras games.
Despite this, she expects the fans to turn up in big numbers, predicting a bumper attendance.
“I’m currently in our activation stall in Francistown and tickets are selling fast. People are buying, we hope to have a reasonable crowd at the stadium,” she said on Wednesday afternoon, roughly 24 hours before the big kick-off.