BFA to consider F�town stadium as Zebras� new home
Chakalisa Dube | Friday August 28, 2015 15:10
Sebego was addressing a press conference here yesterday.
During the briefing, Sebego announced that the national team would play Burkina Faso at the resplendent venue on September 5.
The match was initially slated for the new Lobatse stadium.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) officials were in Francistown last weekend to inspect the new facility and gave it the thumbs up to host international games.
“We may turn the Francistown into the home of the national team. However, we will only do that when we feel that the environment at the stadium is very good.
“We will also look at New Lobatse Stadium and the National Stadium. If any of the two facilities provide the best environment for the national team, then it will become the home of the national team,” he said.
A visibly excited Sebego said the BFA decided to have the game in Francistown as a way of taking the game to the people.
He added that the BFA is working around the clock to make sure the game becomes a success.
“We have appointed a Local Organising Committee (LOC) with Jonas Ikgopoleng coordinating preparations for the game.
“We are also giving our security personnel training to handle the game because we anticipate that many people will attend the match,” he said.
Sebego also said that some members of the BFA would temporarily relocate to Francistown to help the LOC prepare for the games.
Sebego said Burkina Faso has accepted the BFA’s request to change venues for the match.
However, Sebego did not disclose the costs that will be incurred by the BFA as a result of the switch. He said costs could only be quantified after the match.
“I will however have to acknowledge that taking the game here is costly. Our players usually camp at the BFA training centre at Lekidi.
“Now we have to pay for their accommodation and their transport to Francistown which is costly.
“Bringing our staff here also comes at cost because we have to fund their accommodation and transport.”
The Zebras, according to Sebego, will arrive in Francistown on Sunday to prepare for the Stallions clash. Tickets for the game, sold at various Shoprite and Checkers outlets, go on sale today. Ticket prices range between P30 and P100. City mayor, Sylvia Muzila said she has instructed civic leaders in the city to encourage members of the public to attend the game in large numbers.