- The two teams scheduled to leave for Lilongwe, Malawi today
The Botswana Football Association (BFA) has today held a send-off session for the two teams that will be representing Botswana in Lilongwe, Malawi at the CAF Pan African School Football Championships starting this weekend. Botswana will be represented in this tournament by Thamaga CJSS boys’ team of Thamaga and Mothamo CJSS girls’ team of Moiyabana. The two teams are scheduled to travel this evening to South Africa where they will connect by flight to Lilongwe.
Speaking at the send-off ceremony, BFA CEO Mr Mfolo Mfolo noted how challenging the preparations for this tournament were. He cited the non-existence of school sports and budgetary constraints as the association’s biggest challenges in preparing the two teams for Lilongwe. He however gave thanks to the schools, parents as well as the village elders for coming together to support their schools and teams in helping these students realize their dreams of representing the country.
Mr Mfolo wished the students well on their travels and urged them to have fun and do their best on the international stage.
“Every accomplishment starts with taking the decision to try…You lot took the brave step to try…to dream and believe that representing the country at this level is possible. And your efforts were not in vain as you are jetting off to Malawi to represent the country,” he said.
He reminded them that they will not only be representing themselves, but everything they do will be reflective of their parents, schools as well as Botswana football as a whole and as such they should carry themselves in a way that will make everyone proud.
Speaking on behalf of their teams, Captains Moabi Rathejwane and Rakganela Mothamo expressed their delight at having made it this far. Both captains said their teams have been training hard and are ready to not only participate but compete and produce great results.
Both teams will travel to Malawi with 15 players and 3 officials each. The tournament will be held from 29 to 31 October 2022.
