Zebras walk into AFCON With P4 Million more in the bank
Kabelo Boranabi | Tuesday December 9, 2025 10:05
This was confirmed by the Botswana Football Association (BFA) president, Tariq Babitseng, during the team's send-off ceremony on Sunday evening at Ditshupo Hall. Babitseng said the BFA is to allocate 50% of the tournament prize money to the players' incentives while committing 100% of the pledges to the players' back pockets.
CAF allocates USD 500,000 (approx. P6.89 million) to teams finishing fourth in the group, and the BFA is committing 50% of all CAF prize money directly to players. The Zebras are assured USD 250,000 (P3.45 million) even in the least-favourable outcome. Add the P600,000 already pledged by corporate partners, and the players walk into Morocco with a guaranteed pool of over P4 million earmarked solely for them.
Babitseng made it clear at the send-off ceremony that “all incentives go straight to the players. Every Thebe. They carry the national badge. They deliver the results. They deserve to benefit fully”. Babitseng also highlighted the stakes for the tournament should Zebras progress through the knockout rounds, players stand to gain 70% of the championship prize. CAF’s prize grid for Morocco 2025 reads, USD 700,000 (P9.65m) for third in the group, USD 800,000 (P11m) for the Round of 16, USD 1.3m (P17.9m) for the quarterfinals, USD 2.5m (P34.4m) for the semifinals, USD 4m (P55.1m) for runners-up, and USD 7m (P96.5m) for the champions.
Babitseng was emphatic about the team’s mission. “We did not land in this moment by luck. We earned it. We are putting our heads on the trophy and putting our heads on the 42 million,' he said.
For his part, the Minister of Sports and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng, added his voice to the chorus of support, praising the players as national ambassadors. “You carry the hopes of every Motswana on your shoulders. We have invested in your preparation, from world-class facilities in Tunisia to high-performance camps in Morocco. Botswana is behind you every step of the way. Go out there and shine,' he said.
The financial backing is more than just numbers, but it is a reflection of faith, belief, and national pride, Babitseng had said. The Zebras qualified for only the second time in history after a hard-fought 1–1 draw in Cairo, demonstrating discipline and resilience.
The squad departed for Tunisia yesterday, where they will undergo high-performance training ahead of the final phase in Rabat. The team’s warm-up matches schedule includes a tough test against Tunisia and a run against Comoros.