The year is 2010 and it is midweek on a typical November afternoon in Gaborone. It is 3pm and a small but compact University of Botswana (UB) Stadium is already filled to the brim as the facility prepares to host one of many key Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Supporters clad in the nation's blue, black, and white, are already in full voice ready to cheer the Zebras to another campaign-changing victory. It was a time when, from the ashes, a nation saw a hopeless campaign rise and morph into a brittle reality.
The expectations and excitement were palpable in almost every corner of the capital and beyond as Stanley Tshosane marshalled a brave team of soldiers who left everything on every blade of the UB Stadium grass. Elsewhere around the country, a nation held its collective breath as the Zebras trotted into what, hitherto were unfamiliar surroundings on November 17 to confront one of Africa's football Goliaths, Tunisia. The UB Stadium had been turned into the Zebras' stomping ground, thanks to the unavailability of Botswana's ceremonial home of football, the National Stadium. The traditional home of football was closed for renovations, as part of preparation for the 2010 World Cup, which was hosted across the border in South Africa. The nation did not benefit from the prolonged and controversial National Stadium upgrade as the 2010 World Cup bypassed Botswana, with participating teams preferring to set base in South Africa. However, that was immaterial to the UB Stadium which had found its moment to shine as the National Stadium renovations proved to be a blessing in disguise for the 8, 000-seater facility. The UB Stadium, located just adjacent to the National Stadium and within the precinct of the country's premier institution of higher learning, accepted the opportunity to host the Zebras with both hands.
Memories of Diphetogo 'Dipsy' Selolwane's spilled effort, which was expertly swept home by Jerome Ramatlhakwana in the 33rd minute of that high-octane encounter against Tunisia, remain firmly embedded in the minds of many. It marked the first time that the Zebras completed a rare double over the former African champions en route to a first ever qualification to the Africa Cup of Nations finals. The UB Stadium was central to this success as the compact facility ensured a much more intimate and interactive experience between the fans and the players. Visiting teams like Tunisia are used to wider pitches and the UB Stadium offered a different challenge, which the Zebras fully utilised to finish their 2012 AFCON qualifying campaign undefeated at home.
One of the 2012 qualifying campaign heroes, Mogogi 'Gino' Gabonamong fondly remembers the iconic venue, which now lies in ruin. "The good thing about the UB Stadium is it is very small and it is like you are in your bedroom. You contain everything well and that is why visiting teams were struggling to cope with the field because we knew all the corners. Other stadiums like the National Stadium, it gives both teams open play as it is much bigger (sic)," Gabonamong said. "It is sad," he adds about the current state of the stadium. Whilst the UB Stadium transformed into a cradle of hope for the nation, even getting the privilege of hosting high-profile domestic clashes, notably between Township Rollers and Mochudi Centre Chiefs, it now lies hopelessly idle. Pampered at the height of its use, the facility is now the equivalent of a vagabond living a painful life in the middle of one of Africa's vibrant capitals. The unmistakable roar of the fans has been banished to the past and is now replaced by an eerie silence, which is intermittently punctuated by the occasional presence of young athletes under former top athlete, Isaac Makwala. Otherwise, the place is now desolate, begging a kiss of life.
The University of Botswana campus services director, Kennedy John, promises that the stadium's inglorious moments could soon be a thing of the past. "Yes, there are plans to manage and rehabilitate it (the stadium). Negotiations are still at a sensitive and confidential stage," John said without giving time frames.
