Brazil's ambassador to Botswana Joao Inacio Padilha said yesterday at a media briefing, held at Lekidi football centre, that the team will be made of active professional players from the capital city, Brasilia. The game will be part of activities to mark the transition of power from President Festus Mogae to his Vice President Ian Khama on April 1. The Brazilian side has been invited by the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture. Padilha said that they are happy to play here and pay homage to Mogae as well as to the incoming Khama.
Brazil is one of the most successful footballing nations and Padilha said they have used soccer as a foreign policy. He said that the April 1 game might be the beginning of a relationship between the two countries, not only in football, but sports in general. It will not be the first time the Zebras taste the Brazilian flavour. The team under the tutelage of former coach, Veselin Jelusic was sent for a training camp in Brazil in 2004, in preparation for the 2006 World Cup/AFCON qualifiers. After the camp, the Zebras gave a scintillating performance that left many supporters impressed. The Brazilian team is expected to arrive on March 31 and Padilha revealed that one television network from the Latin American country wants to come and cover the event.
