Botswana’s excitement over becoming the first Southern African country to host a Confederations Cup participating team was short-lived when New Zealand abandoned their Gaborone camping base last weekend citing sub-standard training facilities.
The All Whites arrived in Gaborone last Thursday and were scheduled to spend 13 days in Botswana’s capital prior to the Confederations Cup, which kicks off in South Africa on June 14.
However, the Oceanic champions left the country two days after arriving as they felt that the training facilities were not up to scratch.
Three of the major stadiums in Gaborone — the National Stadium, the University of Botswana Stadium and SSKB Stadium — are being renovated.
The only stadium that is available is Molepolole, 60km away from Gaborone. The stadium has an artificial turf. The visitors refused to use it saying they wanted the feel of a proper lawn.
That left them with the option of a rugby stadium on the outskirts of Gaborone or Lekidi Centre, a ground that is outside the Botswana Football Association (BFA) offices.
However, confirmed reports are that the All Whites told the BFA that both facilities were not what they expected.
BFA communications officer Phakamile Kraai confirmed the setback.
”New Zealand has just left for Johannesburg, South Africa, because they were not happy with the facilities here.”
A day after their arrival in Botswana, the Mail & Guardian sought to find out where the visitors would hold their first training session, only to be told that BFA were still trying to get a training ground for them.
The two countries are scheduled to meet in a friendly match this Saturday but the match hangs in the balance, as there seems to be an air of confusion regarding the availability of the University of Botswana stadium.
BFA had earmarked the stadium for the high-profile match but grass still had to be laid on the pitch on Tuesday, three days before the encounter.
At a press conference on Friday the executive secretary of Botswana National Sports Council, Kitso Kemoeng, blamed the company contracted to refurbish the stadium.
”Warning lights started to flash in March this year when the contractor was regularly not on site. Even then, he continued to give an assurance that the project would be delivered on schedule.
”In one of the rare occasions when he appeared on site, the contractor assured our minister and her delegation that the project was even ahead of schedule despite that what was seen on the ground indicated otherwise,” he said.
He said that early last month they hired a South African company that was involved in upgrading pitches of major stadiums in South Africa.
”We ended up bringing on board a South African company, Evergreen Turf. The company is being credited for re-grassing of major stadiums including the ones earmarked for the 2010 World Cup,” he said.
Kemoeng remained adamant that the stadium will be ready for the friendly game against the All Whites.
Kraai is also hopeful that New Zealand will return for Saturday’s friendly match despite the own goal.
Pitch problems aside, Botswana national players are still excited about the prospect of playing against the Confederations Cup finalists.
”It’s an exciting new experience for us players. I doubt if any of our players have played on the same field with any of the New Zealand players, so we are looking forward to the game,” said Dipsy Selolwane who is expected to captain Botswana.
Newly signed Orlando Pirates winger Phenyo Mongala said the match would mark a personal milestone for him.
”We are all excited about the prospect of playing a team that will feature in the Confederations Cup. We just have to play our normal game and not put ourselves under pressure.
”For me it is a special game because this will be my first senior national team cap so I’m very excited,” said the player affectionately known as Mzambiya.
He challenged authorities to build more facilities.
”The reason our football is still amateurish is because we do not have proper facilities. I think the relevant authorities have to put more effort into building more facilities around the country. This is the only way football in Botswana can improve,” he said.
Zebras coach Stanley Tshosane is also eager to face the Oceanic champions. ”Our preparations have gone well and I’m glad all the players reported for camp except Mogogi [Gabonamong of Cape Town Santos]. We are ready for Saturday’s match,” Tshosane said.
It remains to be seen if last-minute running around would convince the Kiwis to stay on in Botswana should the friendly match go ahead.
The Kiwis have not completely shut the door to the possibility.
Shortly before New Zealand left for Dar es Salaam, Jamie Scott, the New Zealand football media and communications manager, said: ”New Zealand will return to Gaborone on June 4 for the match as scheduled. The field we were due to train on was not ready so we had to move to Johannesburg for a couple of days. We had been given access to an artificial pitch but this was not ideal when building up to the Confederations Cup.
”The Botswana FA have been very good to deal with and we are looking forward to getting back to Botswana after our trip to Tanzania.”
The All Whites certainly need to practise. On Wednesday they lost 2-1 to Tanzania in their first full match on African soil.