BFA eyes new stadium to host 2015 AFCON

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Thursday July 8, 2010 00:00

 

'We will lobby the government to build a fourth stadium which should be bigger than what we already have,' he told a media briefing in Gaborone.

Currently, the National Stadium and the new Francistown and Lobatse Stadiums are big enough to host AFCON games. Fani remains optimistic that the current delays in the construction and refurbishment of local stadia will not dent the country's bid to host the 2015 AFCON. Fani said what matters in the bid is the nod to host the event from CAF.

 'It (delay) shouldn't (affect our chances), if CAF gives assurance that's what matters. You can start constructing stadiums after CAF awards you the right to host the tournament,' Fani said.

 He asserted that the hosting of the AFCON will not be determined by the slack progress in the current construction and refurbishment of local stadia. Despite persistent assurances from the authorities, Botswana failed to have its facilities ready ahead of the 2010 World Cup, which started in South Africa on June 11.

New stadiums in Francistown and Lobatse have not been completed while the renovation of the National Stadium is still going-on.

Botswana suffered embarrassment last year when the Zebras hosted New Zealand at the incomplete University of Botswana (UB) Stadium. Workers, under the watchful eye of Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) executive secretary, Kitso Kemoeng, were seen pounding the turf, minutes before kick-off.

There were promises that the facilities would be completed ahead of the World Cup to help the country harness benefits from the soccer showpiece.

But weeks before the 2010-2011 be MOBILE Premier League season kicks off, there are worries that the facilities will not be ready.

To host the 2015 AFCON, Botswana has four years to come up with a new facility as well as renovate existing stadiums to meet CAF requirements.

Meanwhile, Fani has said the BFA is negotiating with Mogogi Gabanamong to play for the national team again. He said the BFA met the player who demanded P13,000 as appearance fee and sought to know the details of insurance available to Zebras' players.

'We are trying to reach a common ground,' Fani said. Zebras' coach, Stanley Tshosane, said the fact that he had called the player to camp shows that he values his services.

However, he said with or without Gabanamong, life has to go on.