I still want to play for my country - Gabonamong

| Friday July 30, 2010 00:00

Mmegi Sport: You wanted a meeting with the Botswana Football Association (BFA) during the build up to the Tunisia game. What was the agenda of the meeting and why did it fail to take place?

Gabonamong: I arrived in Botswana a week later than the rest of the guys playing in South Africa because I was in South Korea. Upon my arrival in Gaborone, I wrote a letter to BFA and personally took it to Lekidi. I asked BFA if they could schedule a meeting with me. In the three weeks I was at home for the off-season break, they didn't even call me once about the meeting. I did the most professional thing anyone would do and wrote them a letter, yet they never set up the meeting. And I told them, I will not report for camp should a meeting between myself and them not be arranged. I wrote them a letter and outlined my requests to them and asked to have all my concerns discussed in the meeting. I left Botswana for Cape Town for pre-season training without BFA getting back to me regarding my letter.

Mmegi Sport: So what happened after you went back to South Africa?

Gabonamong: What was I supposed to do? Call them and ask them if they would respond? They gave me a call a week before the game against Tunisia, something I strongly felt was unprofessional. Why did they let me leave without talking to me only to call when I was back in South Africa? But because I still want to play for my country, I didn't have a problem flying back home. I was willing to go to Tunisia with the team. They called me and told me they couldn't give me what I wanted. I had a telephone conversation with an official from the association and when I was asked to compromise on the money I wanted, I did just that. They promised to give me a call later that day. I had my bags ready to fly to Tunisia with the team, but even today, I am still waiting for their call.

Mmegi Sport: In the past, you have been criticised for choosing your farm over the Zebras ...

Gabonamong: My farm has absolutely nothing to do with this. Yes, farming remains one of my passions, but this takes me back to the sacrifices I have made over the years. I have always put my country ahead of my personal interests and will continue to do so. If I can spend nearly nine months without seeing my farm, why would a month in camp with the national team be a problem? I have people working for me, so how is that supposed to crowd my time for the national team? I don't even get to spend as much time as I would love to with my family and it all boils down to the sacrifices I make.

Mmegi Sport: Do you still want to play for the Zebras?

Gabanomong: Yes. It has always been an honour for me to represent my country. It has taken a lot of setbacks and patience to get to where I am. It is always a special feeling to don national colours. I always strive to give my best for the national team, even when the odds are against us. But I haven't given up on Zebras. I can never give up on Zebras but (Ngwana yoo sa leleng oswela tharing). It has really been a long journey for me and I can't afford to be used anymore. I just cannot play for pride.

Mmegi Sport: BFA has in the past been accused of neglecting national team players' welfare. Have things improved?

Gabonamong: No and it is a pity because the players are working hard. We have always been asked to sacrifice for the country, and we have. But when will the country sacrifice for us? It is always a great honour for us to represent our country, but it is also frustrating when you know so much that can be done is not done. You must remember, as players, we are willing to die for the country. It is only fair we are taken seriously, too. No player goes into the field wanting to lose. Yes, we have failed to qualify before, but people should also understand what made us struggle. We just were not getting the right support.

Mmegi Sport: You are said to have asked for an appearance fee of P13,000 ahead of the Tunisia tie?

Gabonamong: Look, all I can say is BFA let me down. I am extremely disappointed in them. For that to have been mentioned during a press conference not related to my issue is disappointing. Why didn't they call a press conference if they wanted to tell the media what I wanted? And for them to say I demanded P13, 000, yet they failed to mention I was willing to settle for P10, 000. My issue with BFA is not entirely about money, but the welfare of players. I am not even asking for what I deserve. I am asking for what I know they can give me. Did they mention that I asked to see how I would be covered or compensated should I pick up an injury playing for [the] Zebras? Look, I have respected the association throughout this whole thing that is why I never said a word to the media. For me to hear they said that during a press conference shows little respect towards me. That hurt me and my family. Look, I am playing professional football and it is [not the] means of paying the bills. Football is my life and I have a family to feed. I have taken a lot of risks in the past playing for the national team without proper insurance cover. I picked up a couple of knocks before, but nothing too serious. If I get injured now playing for [the] Zebras, what then? Am I supposed to nurse my injury with my appearance fee? Does the association even care just how many caps I have?

Mmegi Sport: Do you think the national team is prepared for the 2012 AFCON qualifiers?

Gabonamong: Yes and no, but we should not be complaining. It is the same for all countries competing in our group, isn't it? We obviously didn't expect the games to kick-off so early and that might have disrupted the coach's plans, but we just have to get on with the job. How we go about preparing will ultimately make a difference.