Brave Warriors mull Botswana switch
FRANCISTOWN: Namibia’s soccer team, the Brave Warriors might soon be playing home matches in Botswana, Mmegi Sport has learnt. The Namibian Sports Commission (NSC) and the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) have opened talks to have the Brave Warriors play their home matches in Botswana.
Early this year, Namibia was banned from staging international matches by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) because of the poor standard of its facilities. Namibia often staged its home matches at the Sam Nujoma Stadium but has been forced to play in South Africa after the ban. Botswana has several facilities that are eligible to host international matches among them the admired Obed Itani Chilume Stadium.
The development comes as Namibia and Botswana are planning to launch a joint bid to host the 2027 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). While the BNSC chief executive officer (CEO), Tuelo Serufho was reluctant to discuss reports the Namibian national team might start playing its matches in Botswana, his Namibian counterpart, Simataa Mwiya confirmed their interest in
switching their matches to Botswana. “The matter of having some games in Botswana is indeed a good idea as it will cement our relationship as we prepare to bid for the 2027 AFCON,” he said. “However, we are yet to formally discuss with the football family (Namibia Football Association) as the main stakeholder. Informally, we talked but we will examine the cost and benefit analysis. I shared
the same with the CEO of the BNSC informally.
It is highly possible (to play matches in Botswana) as the NSC and the BNSC have a Memorandum of Understanding,” he said. Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture Development (MYSC) Tumiso Rakgare said it would be a welcome development if Namibia plays its matches in Botswana.
“The government will support their plans to play their matches in Botswana. We will also encourage Batswana to support the Namibian national team whenever it is playing on our shores,” Rakgare said in an interview. Rakgare said the development would help strengthen the relationship between the two countries as they work towards a bid to co-host the 2027 AFCON.