• Zebras fans speak out on BFA ‘blunders’

Zebras’ supporters have given the BFA a ‘thumbs down’ as they used the social media site Facebook to express anger and frustration at the recent developments concerning the senior national football team.

NOT AMUSED: Zebras fans

Most of their anger was directed at the Association’s David Fani led executive. The team is currently in Central African Republic for their first World Cup Qualifier.

BFA came under criticism during the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Gabon/Equatorial Guinea when the controversial issue of players’ allowances was hotly debated, with some players threatening to boycott the finals. The situation was so tense that at one point Fani uttered his famous comment: “Those who don’t want to play should ship out.” The remark caused a rift between players and the executive that has since become wider.

Though it was purely a business decision, BFA made the unpopular decision of terminating All Kasi’s tenure as the Zebras technical sponsor. Many soccer lovers did not take kindly to the move since the local company had become a very popular brand amongst supporters.

There is no denying that things are not going well at Lekidi Football Centre; the blunders are too many and too frequent for supporters’ likings.The Zebras’ 2014 World Cup campaign got off to a shaky start with the planned friendly against Iraq in Turkey postponed twice.

The players had again threatened to boycott the Iraq and CAR games prior to their Turkey departure, and only an intervention from BNSC and Department of Sports and Recreation averted the situation. With reports that the team had to spend the night at an Ethiopian airport before their important clash against CAR, football supporters are once again poiting accusing fingers at Fani’s executive committee.

The recent announcement by Botswana National Sports Council that all BFA funds will be frozen until the association gets its house in order is yet another sign of just how bad things are at Lekidi.

With these developments supporters on the streets fear that their side might fail to qualify for AFCON 2013 in South Africa and the World Cup in 2014. Voice Sports went out to seek people’s opinions on Wednesday afternoon.

Ditiro Esau (38)
I’m not happy with the way football is being run here. There is too much secrecy especially when it comes to finances. Some of the Zebras players are our cousins and brothers and they share with us their grievances. It is heartbreaking to see an association that is only interested in making money from its national team and cares less about the players’ welfare. I think it is high time Fani steps down to make way for fresher minds.

Nthobatsang Gaseletsapa (30)
I believe people have made the BFA their personal company. The executive should resign or the minister should act and dissolve it. The recent example where All Kasi decided to deposit money directly to the players’ accounts clearly shows that we can no longer trust the BFA personnel. Most of them are always quick to say they are volunteers, but they are never ready to step down even when things are not going well. This just shows that they are there for money or to advance their political ambitions.

Gorata Ntwayakgosi (25)
Zebras players are our ambassadors who deserve respect, not this embarrassing treated being meted out by BFA.I’m afraid that if more of our players can find greener pastures they are going to shun the national team because let’s face it there is no reward for playing for the team. A new committee should be ushered in that hopefully will bring new ideas.

Mpho Molaodi (25)
The BFA executive need to be humble and honest in their dealings with football players. There should be more consultation so everybody should feel a part of the bigger picture. I however feel that the current executive should be allowed to run football for some more years. There has been significant improvement since they came into office, but they need to address things like players’ allowances.

Odirileng Molefe (26)
Our football has shown tremendous improvement in the recent past, but silly hiccups by our sports leaders may take us back another decade. A new committee is needed; we can’t keep recycling personnel when there are so many people willing to serve football.Supporters and players are being taken for a ride and this has to stop. I find it very hard to hope that we will qualify for the next AFCON in South Africa.

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