From Jwaneng to Harare with determination

But painting them all with the same brush does a disservice to those who have proved otherwise. Botswana has produced consummate football professionals who have ventured into some of Africa’s toughest football environments and stood their ground, demonstrating resilience and professionalism required to survive the unforgiving demands of the continent’s game. Not long ago, some analysts attributed the dwindling number of Botswana internationals playing abroad to a lack of 'mentality monsters,' players with the appetite to survive away from home. The argument was that too many could not withstand the rigours of foreign football and, when the pressure mounted, they simply retraced their steps home. But a growing number of Botswana players have ventured into markets such as Algeria, Morocco, Zambia and Zimbabwe, while others have tested themselves in Asia.

These were once largely virgin territories for Botswana footballers, who had become accustomed to the familiar route south to South Africa.