Showa and the BFL dilemma

Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday August 4, 2026 10:20

Infantino fell under the spotlight recently following a controversial decision which would have seen part of FIFA sold to private investors.

The FIFA president, who rode on a campaign to rid the world governing body of corruption, had dangled a $40 million carrot to member associations to vote in favour of the proposal.

While Africa, through its leadership at CAF, was still pondering, FIFA members in North America, Europe and Asian members struck a crucial blow, outrightly rejecting Infantino's outlandish proposal.

The purists do not want their football to be overrun by commercial interests, yes they want the cash injection, but they don't want rushed decisions taken by an individual.

It emerged that even Infantino's adviser was not aware of the decision, which would have financially benefitted member associations but seen football cede part ownership of its competition.

The voices of UEFA, CONCACAF (the North American, Central American and Caribbean association) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) were loud and clear.

They will not allow Infantino to do as he pleases with FIFA. It is not his personal property or a fiefdom. Infantino's climbdown was swift and embarrassing.

While CAF was dithering, by Saturday evening Infantino had already made a U-turn on his ill-advised proposal. Tail between the legs, the Swiss-Italian folded back spectacularly, throwing his future at FIFA into serious doubts.

CAF has been one of Infantino's strongholds, with the 54 members unanimously backing his candidature at next year's elections. But Infantino, a man who succeeded Blatter amid widespread corruption concerns, appears ripe for the walk of shame.

Whatever the case, world football appears to be bracing for change at the top, with Infantino falling short of expectations after taking over from a man who had become the face of global football administration.

While Infantino's moment of shame was causing tremors across the world of football, Botswana had its fair share of embarrassment. On Saturday, what was supposed to be a gathering and discussion of local football league matters, turned into a farce.

The warnings were there but they had been ignored. Two weeks prior, shareholders had issued the weather warning as the storm clouds gathered.

Now Botswana Football League (BFL) chairperson, Sipho Showa has a dilemma on his hands. Had a few clubs decided to boycott the meeting, he and his board would argue that it’s only a few 'rotten' apples, but on Saturday the majority decided to stay away.

This is a strong message to the Board which they cannot afford to dismiss whimsically. The entire board needs its soliloquy moment as another critical weekend looms. How will authorities explain a situation where both the BFL and the Botswana Football Association hold simultaneous annual general meetings. That will be an embarrassing a new low that should not have been allowed to happen.