Zebras’ issues have been resolved – BFA
Mqondisi Dube | Friday September 5, 2025 12:06
However, the Footballers Union of Botswana (FUB) says there are still some sticking points.
Internationals Tumisang Orebonye, Gape Mohutsiwa, captain Thatayaone Ditlhokwe and Kabelo Seakanyeng were at the centre of the storm as a strike over welfare issues loomed.
However, a boycott was averted at the last minute, but skipper Ditlhokwe became a casualty. Subsequently, he was left out of the squad, which exposed divisions within the BFA as the CEO, Mfolo Mfolo, and vice president-technical, Tico Kamati, issued contrasting statements amidst a tense stand-off.
Ditlhokwe wrote a letter to the FUB on April 15 requesting an update on his issue with the BFA, particularly over the contrasting positions presented by the association's officials.
This week, the FUB secretary-general, Kgosana Masaseng, said some issues had been resolved, but others remain.
'The only two issues that were not resolved are that the outstanding P5,000 for boots and the failure by the BFA to officially distance themselves from the statement issued in the name of Kamati, saying they did not apologise to players,' Masaseng said.
But Mfolo, meanwhile, said everything was now water under the bridge.
'(There are) no issues. All issues have been resolved,' Mfolo said. Ditlhokwe made himself unavailable for this week's FIFA dates back-to-back World Cup qualifiers against Algeria and Mozambique, citing the need to rest.
It is unclear if his decision to opt out is linked to the previous conflict with the BFA.
The player had not responded to MmegiSport's inquiry at press time.
Seakanyeng has, meanwhile, been dropped by coach Morena Ramoreboli over disciplinary issues.
During a press conference to announce the Zebras squad last week, Ramoreboli said Seakanyeng can only be considered if he apologises for his behaviour when he was substituted during the game against Somalia in March.
“I think Kabelo knows how I love him. But I cannot allow that kind of behaviour. When we played against Somalia, we decided to substitute him. He displayed anger, and he did not even shake hands. And we scored after that sub. People are watching,” Ramoreboli said.
The Zebras coach added that the situation escalated after the match when Seakanyeng allegedly told him never to call him up again.
“Well, I just thought it was just a heat of the moment. Then next he tells me I should never call him up. It was strange. He should apologise to the team. We don’t condone such behaviour. That is why you don’t see his name on the list,” he explained.
Ramoreboli's Zebras played Algeria last night (Thursday) away, and they also travel to Maputo to face Mozambique on Monday. It is a defining moment for the team, which had collected nine points before last night's game.
The Zebras cannot afford to lose further ground in the race for qualification to next year's World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States of America.