From Jwaneng to Harare with determination

Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday September 22, 2026 10:12

But painting them all with the same brush does a disservice to those who have proved otherwise. Botswana has produced consummate football professionals who have ventured into some of Africa’s toughest football environments and stood their ground, demonstrating resilience and professionalism required to survive the unforgiving demands of the continent’s game. Not long ago, some analysts attributed the dwindling number of Botswana internationals playing abroad to a lack of 'mentality monsters,' players with the appetite to survive away from home. The argument was that too many could not withstand the rigours of foreign football and, when the pressure mounted, they simply retraced their steps home. But a growing number of Botswana players have ventured into markets such as Algeria, Morocco, Zambia and Zimbabwe, while others have tested themselves in Asia.

These were once largely virgin territories for Botswana footballers, who had become accustomed to the familiar route south to South Africa.

At one stage, Zebras winger Joel Mogorosi was on the verge of a historic blockbuster move to Zimbabwean champions FC Platinum. He was eventually dissuaded from joining the then cash-rich club and encouraged to take the familiar route to South Africa, where he joined Bloemfontein Celtic.

The move paid dividends, with Mogorosi enjoying a stellar career in Bloemfontein. But he later said that the Zimbabwe offer was generous and that he was open to the move before the late intervention redirected him southwards.

South Africa was familiar and regarded as the natural destination, while other African markets were treated with suspicion. But that thinking is now changing.

Goalkeeper, Victor James, was amongst those who took the plunge when he left Jwaneng for Zimbabwean giants CAPS United.

Ranked behind only Dynamos and Highlanders in the traditional hierarchy of Zimbabwean football, CAPS commands a sizeable following, particularly in Harare.

James joined a side that would later sign Zimbabwe's number one goalkeeper, Washington Arubi. Yet rather than retreat from the competition, he embraced it and has since become a firm fan favourite.

A video of James dancing in front of adoring CAPS United supporters at Ngoni Stadium over the weekend is more than a feel-good moment. It captures a player who left the comfort of home to test himself in unfamiliar territory and won over a foreign audience in the process.

James did not shy away from the headwinds, instead he flew straight into them. His journey challenges the lazy assumption that Botswana players simply lack the mentality to succeed abroad.

Kabelo Seakanyeng and Tumisang Orebonye have already demonstrated the value of testing themselves in Morocco. James is adding another chapter in Zimbabwe.

Different leagues and football cultures can only broaden the players as local players continue to discover that the continent is bigger than South Africa.