Connect with us

News

The Zebras’ AFCON 2025 Opponents Revealed

The wait is finally over as on January 27, 2025, the eagerly-awaited Final Draw for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 took place in Rabat, with the 24 competing teams discovering their groupings.

Botswana will face three formidable opponents, Senegal, a true powerhouse in African football; will be one of the top contenders in Group D. The reigning champions of the 2021 AFCON, enters this year’s tournament as a major threat, with a recent history of success. Their current world ranking of 17 and a strong CAF standing at number 2 further highlight their prominence on the continental stage

The Democratic Republic of Congo, with a rich AFCON history, boasts two championships in 1968 and 1974. Although their world ranking currently stands at 61, they remain a respected force in African football. With 21 appearances in the AFCON, DR Congo is a team that always has the potential to surprise, and their strong CAF ranking of 11 underscores their competitive stature.

Benin, making their fifth appearance in the AFCON, is a team on the rise. Having made it to the quarter-finals in 2019, Benin has proven that they can be tough opponents on the continental stage. Although their world ranking is currently at 94, and their CAF ranking stands at 21, the team’s growing strength and recent success show that they can challenge the bigger teams.

With a diverse and experienced set of competitors in Group D, the Zebras, despite their limited AFCON experience — having only participated in the group stages in 2012—are determined to show their growth and potential. With a current world ranking of 136 and a CAF ranking of 43, Botswana is ready to take on their more established opponents and make a strong impression at the AFCON in Morocco.

News

Botswana and Algeria Strengthen Sports Ties, with Football Development in Focus

Francistown, Botswana – The Honourable Minister of Sport & Arts, Mr. Jacob Kelebeng, recently welcomed a courtesy visit from Honourable Walid Sadi, Algeria’s Minister of Youth & Sports, along with His Excellency Ambassador Abdelmalek Tigharhar of Algeria.

The discussions centered on fostering collaboration between the two nations in sports development, with particular emphasis on Paralympics, football, boxing, and athletics. This engagement presents valuable opportunities for Botswana to benefit from Algeria’s advanced sporting infrastructure, training programs, and technical expertise.

As part of the visit, Honourable Sadi also met with BFA President Mr. Tariq Babitseng, alongside Minister Kelebeng. Discussions highlighted Algeria’s well-established football development structures, coaching programs, and talent identification pathways, which could serve as a benchmark for Botswana’s football growth strategy.

BFA President Emphasizes Football Development

Speaking on the significance of the engagement, BFA President Mr. Tariq Babitseng expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, noting that Botswana stands to gain valuable insights from Algeria’s football model.

“Football development remains a key priority for the BFA, and this engagement allows us to benchmark against one of Africa’s leading football nations. Algeria’s structured approach to grassroots football, coaching development, and high-performance training presents a great learning opportunity for Botswana. We are excited about the potential collaborations that will enhance our football structures and elevate the sport in the country,” said Babitseng.

The Minister was accompanied by Permanent Secretary Ms. Nancy Chengeta of the Ministry of Sport & Arts (MOSA), along with key sports leadership figures, including:

✅ BNSC Chairperson: Mr. Marumo Morule

✅ BNSC CEO: Mr. Tuelo D. Serufho

✅ BNSC Executive Management

✅ Botswana Football Association (BFA) Executives

✅ Various dignitaries and stakeholders

The BFA remains committed to building strategic international partnerships that contribute to the growth, professionalization, and long-term sustainability of football in Botswana.

 

Continue Reading

Trending