BFA admits gaps in players' welfare
Kabelo Boranabi | Tuesday April 28, 2026 07:58
BFA interim chief executive officer, Kago Mosinyi acknowledged the growing tension between the association and clubs, particularly around injury management and return-to-play timelines.
While he maintained that systems are in place to safeguard players, the reality painted is less than airtight though not without ongoing efforts to tighten the gaps.
“We have developed a policy together with the FUB (Footballers Union of Botswana) managing camps, with obligations for both parties,” Mosinyi said in a response to Sport Monitor's questionnaire,
“These will be signed by every individual selected for camp,” he added, pointing to a more structured approach to camp management.
Yet, when it comes to compensation, the answer is blunt: there is none.
“Unfortunately, players are not compensated for games missed due to injury while on national duty,” Mosinyi confirmed a position likely to unsettle both players and their employers in an increasingly professional football environment.
However, the association argues that its current focus has been on ensuring access to treatment and medical support as a priority baseline.
The BFA says injury rates remain relatively low, estimating that less than 10% of players sustain injuries during national assignments.
At the last Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), only one major injury was recorded that of Thatayaone Kgamanyane while the rest were described as minor knocks, most of which were treated and resolved within camp structures.
Still, the friction point is not necessarily the frequency of injuries, but how they are handled. Mosinyi confirmed that there have been instances where clubs stepped in to cover medical expenses.
In one notable case, Gaborone United opted to take charge of their player’s treatment, citing differences in medical opinion and the urgency to have the player return to action.
However, the BFA maintains this was not due to a lack of provision on its part, but rather a club-driven decision based on internal priorities and timelines.
That incident underscores a broader issue, trust or the lack of it, between clubs and the national setup, even as both parties ultimately share responsibility for player welfare.
Although the BFA relies on the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) to cover medical costs, Mosinyi admitted the association does not have direct access to total expenditure figures.
However, he stressed that the arrangement ensures players are not personally burdened with medical bills, with referrals to specialists made where necessary.
“We are unable to provide exact figures as they lie with the BNSC,” he said.
To its credit, the BFA insists it provides post-camp medical reports to clubs within 48 hours and maintains ongoing communication with team doctors.
However, clubs are not always fully convinced, with complaints centering on the length of recovery periods and delays in players returning to competitive football an area Mosinyi described as “an ongoing discussion”.
The association now appears to be shifting toward a more collaborative approach. Plans are underway to improve information sharing between national team doctors and club medical staff a step that could bring greater alignment and reduce friction going forward.
In addition, the BFA is engaging player representatives to gather feedback, signaling a recognition that those on the pitch must play a more active role in shaping welfare policies.