BFA fears security threat in Mali

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Monday August 13, 2012 00:00

The Zebras are scheduled to play Mali away in the first leg match of the  two-legged affair that will see the winner proceeding to play in the finals in South Africa next year. Addressing the media on the team's preparations last Friday, BFA chief executive officer (CEO), Duncan Kgame said they were worried about the current security situation in Mali and have communicated their fears to CAF.He said they have raised the security issue in several letters addressed to the continental body, but have not yet received any feedback.

'We are concerned about the security situation in Mali. We hope CAF will communicate with us in due course about the issue,' Kgame said. He said they hope CAF would respond and probably take the match to a neutral venue.He said that they would however, have to send an advance party to Bamako this week with or without a response from CAF. The security situation in Mali has been a major concern since late last year when the Tuareg rebels clashed with government forces and took control of northern Mali.

BBC reports that though the situation has come under control in some areas, there remains a major security threat, especially for tourists and foreign nationals living in the country.Tourists are reported to have been targeted for kidnapping by the rebels and there are also fears of terrorist groups operating in the country.However, Kgame said the BFA was doing everything to ensure the team's preparations for the AFCON qualifiers. The team, which assembled on August 5 will remain in training until August 18.  They will then leave for another training camp in Potchefstrom, South Africa, from August 19-26. Kgame said they hoped to secure another friendly match while in South Africa.

From Porchefstrom, the team will proceed to Nairobi, Kenya, where they will have their final training camp from August 27 to September 7. Still in their preparations, the Zebras are scheduled to play Tanzania in a friendly match in Molepolole on Wednesday night. The Tanzanians are expected to arrive in Gaborone tomorrow.Kgame said the BFA is still contemplating whether to play the return match at the UB Stadium or the new Lobatse stadium. The UB Stadium has been the home ground for the national team following the closure on the National Stadium for renovations four years ago. The Lobatse stadium has just been regrassed and Kgame said if all goes well and the pitch is ready for the tie, they would consider it. The final leg matches will be played in the weekend of October 12-14.