The match was crucial for Botswana because if the Zebras won it, they would thereby qualify for the 2012 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals. So the ministry's gesture (the very first of its kind for any sport in the country's history) was not a total surprise. What was surprising to some people was the level of the government's generosity, given its constant plea that owing to the recent worldwide recession, it is short of funds for almost everything it has to do.
This element of surprise on the part of many residents of Botswana became more pronounced when, after Botswana indeed won the match, the sports ministry also announced that each of the team members would be paid P20 000, while the team officials would receive P10 000 each. However, the increased level of surprise was insignificant compared to the level of elation that overwhelmed the entire nation following the significant victory of the Zebras over Chad.
