Sports

Zebras, BFA dispute remains unresolved

Welfare issues: Ditlhokwe in action against Egypt PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO Welfare issues: Ditlhokwe in action against Egypt PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
Welfare issues: Ditlhokwe in action against Egypt PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

The Zebras threatened to boycott their FIFA World Cup qualifier against Algeria in March over unpaid allowances and mistreatment from some BFA executive committee members. International players were reportedly targeted, which resulted in captain Thatayaone Ditlhokwe being omitted from the game against Algeria on March 21 before he was reinstated for the encounter against Somalia four days later. Ditlhokwe's decision to fly directly to Francistown and not join the team in Gaborone had reportedly irked some within the BFA. There were conflicting reports after BFA chief executive officer, Mfolo Mfolo, apologised to players based abroad, who included Ditlhokwe, Gape Mohutsiwa, Kabelo Seakanyeng, and Tumisang Orebonye.

However, BFA second vice president, Tebogo 'Tico' Kamati was quick to dismiss Mfolo's apology. 'Unfortunately, Mr Mfolo acted independently without proper consultation or adherence to governance protocols. This action goes against the principles of good corporate governance and the integrity of the association,” Kamati said in a counterstatement then. He is said to have demanded that Ditlhokwe submit an apology whilst also instructing coach, Morena Ramoreboli to drop the skipper from the game against Algeria. The Zebras lost that match 3-1. Whilst the BFA president Tariq Babitseng, recently told MmegiSport that the issue had been dealt with, it has emerged that it is still pending, with some international players, amongst them, Ditlhokwe, demanding clarity. The Footballers Union of Botswana presiden, Onalethata Tshekiso told MmegiSport that the issue is still pending despite their efforts to engage the BFA. 'I can confirm that we have received a complaint from the Zebras captain about the same matter. We wrote two letters to the BFA seeking their official stance, but we have not received any response despite follow-ups,' Tshekiso said.

'Secondly, the affected player and his teammates have advised that in the absence of any response or official communication from the BFA disputing what circulated on social media, they will reconsider their position concerning the Zebras on account of this disrespect and dishonesty,' he added. Tshekiso said he has been in constant discussions with Babitseng, but nothing has been concluded. 'I have been in constant touch with the BFA president, who assured me via WhatsApp that they would reaffirm their previous apology to the players. However, this issue remains unresolved,' he saidFurther, Tshekiso said the FUB's relationship with the BFA is 'dead'.

'There is no working relationship. Since they came into office, they have never met the player representatives, despite us sitting with a signed MOU (Memorandum of Understanding), which, clearly defines the rules of engagement. The first and last time we met was during the players' boycott in Francistown ahead of the Zebras (against Algeria) game,' he said. Efforts to get a comment from the BFA at press time were futile as Mfolo referred inquiries to Babitseng. The BFA president, who is in Paraguay for the FIFA congress, had not responded to questions sent via the messaging app WhatsApp.

The Zebras' next match is away to Algeria on September 1.