Botswana has one CAF-certified venue, the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown, with efforts to get the National Stadium and the Lobatse Sports Complex on board hitting a snag previously. This week, CAF stadium inspector Joshua Knipp from South Africa was in Botswana to assess the Lobatse Sports Complex and Royal Aria Stadium in Tlokweng. "Accompanied by BFA and BNSC (Botswana National Sport Commission) officials, his visit focuses on evaluating the facilities’ readiness to host CAF Category 1 and 2 matches, including AFCON qualifiers and interclub competitions," the BFA said in a statement. "The inspection marks a key step in Botswana’s mission to meet CAF standards and boost the country’s capacity to host major international fixtures," the BFA added. Knipp also met BNSC acting chief executive officer, Stephen Makuke and other senior officials. The BNSC are the custodian of government stadiums. "The day continued with a meeting at the Lekidi Football Centre, where the CAF inspector was welcomed by the BFA chief executive officer, Mfolo Mfolo, to discuss Botswana’s ongoing efforts to meet CAF’s stadium requirements and elevate the country’s hosting standards," the BFA stated.
If successful, the two facilities would be allowed to host CAF Category 1 and 2 matches, including Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers for junior and women’s national teams, as well as CAF interclub preliminary and group stage fixtures. CAF’s feedback report will be presented to Mfolo and the club licensing manager in the coming days, determining the next steps towards certification and future international hosting opportunities. The country's CAF club representatives, Gaborone United and Jwaneng Galaxy, were forced to play their home matches in Francistown, owing to the unavailability of a CAF-approved stadium in their vicinity. CAF president Patrice Motsepe said during the organisation's recent annual assembly in Kinshasa, DRC, it is still concerning that most countries do not have CAF-approved stadiums.
