The Zebras’ 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign has already thrown up an anomaly with a ‘home’ fixture played 7,000 kilometers away in Tunisia.
The Zebras were forced to surrender home advantage for their second qualifier after the Botswana Football Association (BFA) requested permission from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to stage the match in Tunisia.
The decision came after the National Stadium was rendered unavailable due to preparations for Botswana’s Independence Day celebrations on September 30.
The qualifying campaign began with a dramatic 2-2 draw against Libya, with the Zebras conceding a late equaliser. Under normal circumstances, the return fixture would have been staged in Botswana.
Instead, the national team travelled north to Tunisia for Monday’s encounter, which match also ended in a 2-2 draw.
News&All Sports understands that the BFA approached CAF seeking approval for Tunisia to host the match, with the arrangement expected to allow Botswana to recover the fixture at a later stage.
News&All Sports understands that the BFA approached CAF seeking approval for Tunisia to host the match, with the arrangement expected to allow Botswana to recover the fixture at a later stage.
BFA acting chief executive Bathusi Rathari said the National Stadium had to be handed over for security clearance about a week before the national celebrations, creating an unavoidable clash with the AFCON qualifier.
President Duma Boko would be expected to attend the Independence Day commemorations alongside Mozambican President Daniel Chapo, who would be in Botswana as guest of honour. The heightened security requirements effectively took the stadium out of football use during the period in question.
Faced with the prospect of sourcing an alternative venue at short notice, the BFA opted for what it considered the most practical solution.
Rathari said the decision was informed as much by logistics as by scheduling.
Relocating the match elsewhere would have increased travel and operational costs for the association following their game away to Libya, while Tunisia offered a workable alternative given both teams’ existing travel plans.
