Rich pickings from CAF schools tourney
Botswana has sent two representatives to Africa’s richest schools soccer tournament with the southern region qualifiers taking place in Lilongwe, Malawi. The winners of the inaugural CAF Pan African School Football Championships in both the boys’ and girls’ categories will each pocket $100,000 (approximately P1.2 million) at the regional level. At the continental level, the figure will jump significantly with the winners receiving $300,000 (about P4 million).
Botswana will be represented by Thamaga Community Junior Secondary in the boys’ section, while Mothamo CJSS are the country’s ambassadors in the girls’ competition.
The two teams left for Malawi on Wednesday by road to connect their flights in Johannesburg with the Botswana Football Association holding a send-off session on the same day.
Speaking at the ceremony, BFA CEO Mfolo Mfolo said preparations for the competition had been challenging, particularly in the absence of school sport. He also cited budgetary constraints as one of the reasons for inadequate preparations.
In a statement, Mfolo however, gave thanks to the schools, parents as well as village elders for coming together to support their schools and teams in helping the students realise their dreams of representing the country.
Mfolo wished the students well on their travels and urged them to have fun and do their best on the international stage.
“Every accomplishment starts with taking the decision to try. You lot took the brave step to try…to dream and believe that representing the country at this level is possible. And your efforts were not in vain as you are jetting off to Malawi to represent the country,” he said in the statement.
He reminded them that they will not only be representing themselves but everything they do will be reflective of their parents, schools as well as Botswana football as a whole and as such, they should carry themselves in a way that will make everyone proud.
Mothamo head coach, Kgotso Tshambane said there is plenty of talent within their area. However, he said they faced challenges in preparations.
“The issue of school sport made it difficult and we are not getting equipment. Through the support of our elders, who include parents, we managed to get here. These girls will get exposure as we don’t get that out here,” Tshambane.
He said the team has prepared well, like any other team and they will do their best in Malawi.
Thamaga coach, Tatediso Setlhabi also said they faced difficulties particularly since the qualifiers were held during examinations time.
“We managed to conquer in the qualifiers, including the School of Excellence, Radisele. I can tell you that we are ready. Where we are going, we will fight with our all and we will not undermine ourselves,” Setlhabi said during the send-off.
Both teams will travel to Malawi with 15 players and three officials each.
The schools competition is the brainchild of CAF president, Patrice Motsepe and is meant to ensure African football develops from the grassroots.
The competition is being held on a zonal basis, with Malawi hosting the southern Africa qualifiers. The competition was launched in Maputo, Mozambique in April this year. The schools programme received $10 million (approximately P120 million) from the Motsepe Foundation, which will be used for prize money. Winners in Malawi will get $100,000, with runners-up receiving $75,000 and $50,000 goes to the third-placed team.