National, Lobatse stadiums fail CAF test
Chakalisa Dube - Mqondisi Dube | Saturday June 25, 2022 06:00
CAF recently released a list of approved facilities that will be used to host the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in July, August, and September this year. In Botswana, only the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium met CAF's requirements.
Mmegi Sport has also learnt that the country’s other two major stadiums, the National Stadium and Lobatse Sports Complex failed to meet the criteria to host high-profile matches owing to various factors.
The recent list was released following an inspection done by CAF in February this year. The playing turf and dressing rooms in Lobatse are said to be in a poor state while some stands at the National Stadium are not up to standard.
For over a year, the Lobatse Sports Complex and National Stadium have not staged any international matches because CAF has deemed them unsuitable to do so. Mmegi Sport has also established that another inspection by CAF officials will be done in July this year, ahead of CAF club competitions. If the two facilities meet standards, they will be allowed to stage high profile matches.
The lack of availability to meet CAF requirements has proved costly to the national team and local clubs that participate in CAF competitions. Jwaneng Galaxy have often been forced to spend more on logistics to play their matches in Francistown instead of enjoying the convenience of playing in Gaborone.
The Zebras have also been forced to spend more on lodging facilities in Francistown instead of playing their matches in Gaborone where they have the luxury of using accommodation facilities owned by the association.
Gaborone United and Security Systems, both based in the capital, will participate in CAF club competitions next season and will hope either the Lobatse Sports Complex or the National Stadium pass the test next month.
The Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) is the custodian of the facilities and CEO Tuelo Serufho believes the two stadiums will pass the test at the next inspection. There are challenges with the bucket seats at the National Stadium, while in Lobatse the turf has been in a bad state. "Regarding the National Stadium, we experienced delays with the supply of bucket seats.
The contractor has been on site waiting for delivery. You will observe that we have removed the damaged seats and as soon as the new ones have arrived, we will proceed with the installation," Serufho said. "With Lobatse, the issue was with the turf but that has since been rehabilitated," he added.
Lobatse is therefore awaiting the CAF inspection, with the BNSC's fingers crossed the facility will be given the thumbs up.” Serufho did not want to commit to completion dates, citing previous experiences with delays in supply. "I am afraid to share a completion date because it has already shifted a few times on account of delays in the manufacturing and delivery of seats. Installation of the new seats will take two weeks when they are here. My optimistic estimation is that we should be done by July 15 and we will have an inspection soon after," Serufho said.
The two major facilities' failure to meet CAF requirements comes as the country ramps up efforts to win the right to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals.