08 Jul 2024

Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers draw conducted in Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday, has placed Botswana in a tricky Group C.  

However, coach Didier Da Rosa welcomed the draw., which placed Botswana with Egypt, Cape Verde and Mauritania. 

He said Egypt was one of the best teams in Africa, with one of the best players in the world, Mohamed Salah.  

He said Egypt was very good in offensive compartment and were the group favourite, adding that football was unpredictable and that the Zebras would have to put their best foot forward. 

He said Cape Verde was equally a good side, with dynamic players, with a lot of technical skills, adding that he managed to watch them at the last AFCON where they displayed quality football. 

Da Rosa said Mauritania played the last three AFCON, adding that they were very consistent and some of their players ply their trade in Europe. 

“The draw is tough but we have to be very ambitious and reach our target and to be honest I trust my players,” he said. Botswana Television, sport presenter, Tumo Mpatane said the Zebras were in a difficult group, adding that Egypt was always at every AFCON.  

“They have won AFCON seven times, and that is the highest wins by any nation and there is no doubt that they want number eight,” he said. 

Egypt, he said had a strong team, which would qualify at any given time, hence it would not be easy for the Zebras.

He said it was important that Botswana Football Association (BFA) planned well for the qualifers. 

“The BFA and the league needs to put necessary logistics in place so that the national team assignment and the league games are seamless,” he said. He further said BFA must plan for the Mauritania game saying reaching the country was problematic as there were no direct flights  to the country.  

“Which means it is going to be two days of travel, and it is going to be exhausting on the players, so BFA now need to start planning as early as possible to at least charter a flight,” he said. 

Also, that there was only one stadium with artificial grass and accomodation challenges, he said that might give the Zebras a tough time. ENDS