The two sides clash on June 9 in the 2014 World Cup qualifier. They play Central African Republic away seven days earlier in the first match. There has been speculation that the match could be played in South Africa, despite being Zebras' home game due to lack of a suitable venue. However, Fani told journalists on Wednesday that the match will be played at the UB Stadium, which was used by the Zebras for their home games during the 2012 AFCON qualifiers. "We are trying to see if we can get a much bigger venue for that match, but I can assure you that the match will be played within the borders of Botswana," he said. The qualifiers come at a time when the association is riddled with financial problems, but Fani stressed the importance of playing in the qualifiers for both the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the 2013 AFCON, which South Africa will host.
"Qualifying matches for two major competitions are beckoning. We will need to do well in these matches to prove to all and sundry that our qualification for the finals in 2012 was not a fluke," he said. Fani also pointed out that the Zebras need to qualify for the 2013 AFCON in particular to build on the lessons from AFCON 2012 and extend their experience in the competition on and off the field. "In my view, we have what it takes to qualify for both competitions and while both are without doubt priorities, AFCON 2013 should be at the top of the priority list. In the same breath, it is essential that as we strive to qualify for major tournaments in the immediate future, we should build a strong Zebras team for the long-term," he added.
