Orange, BFA renew Zebras contract

TSHEPO MOLWANE
Staff Writer | Friday April 13, 2007 00:00

Speaking at the occasion, Orange Botswana's acting chief executive officer Keabetswe Segole said that by sponsoring the Zebras, they are keeping in touch with the ideals of Orange global whose commitment to football is second to none. In Africa, Orange sponsors Ivory Coast and Cameroon national teams.

 

In Europe, they are the sponsors of the French Ligue One. 'It is with great satisfaction that we're renewing our relationship with the BFA. We're excited by this and hope that this will bring greater success to our national team,' Segole said. He added that part of the sponsorship will go to BFA while the other share will pay for players' bonuses and appearance fees.

 

The cellular company will help the Zebras with training kits periodically. Segole said he is confident that their efforts will help the team in its bid to qualify for the 2008 African Nations Cup in Ghana. Yesterday, Orange presented the players and members of the technical team with Orange branded cellphones.

 

BFA president Phillip Makgalemele said that the sponsorship is significant in many ways and Orange deserved to be congratulated on their efforts to develop football. 'The sponsorship came at a time when the cost of running football is high. It has also come at a time when the Zebras are doing well,' he said. Makgalemele told the gathering that BFA depends on grants from the government but this alone is not adequate to prepare the Zebras for international matches. 'The good thing about our marriage with Orange is that it remains open,' said the BFA president.

 

The company first sponsored the Zebras with P1.5 million per annum in 2005. This brought hope to the national players and their performance improved gradually. Though the issue of bonuses has continued to haunt the BFA, the cellular company has kept its word and helped the Zebras with incentives. Recently, Orange Botswana sponsored the Zebras' training camp in Belgium.

 

The Zebras' next assignment is in June when they visit Burundi in a 2008 African Cup of Nations qualifier. At the moment, the Zebras are lying second with four points on their qualifying group after continental champions, Egypt. The Zebras beat Burundi 1-0 and held Egypt to a goalless draw. In their opening game, they suffered an embarrassing 4-0 defeat to less-fancied Mauritania.