12 Nov 2024

As the senior national football team will be facing Mauritania in a crucial AFCON 2025 qualifiers on Friday in Francistown, expectations will be very high for them to qualify.

The Zebras need three points to qualify for the AFCON finals to be held in Morocco and both the Botswana Football Association (BFA) and the technical team are currently doing their homework to ensure that the qualification does not slip out of their hands.

As a way of motivation to the players, Choppies has already pledged that should the Zebras play well, they will reward them handsomely.

On the other hand the BFA president, Tariq Babitseng, said in an interview that they were appealing to some sponsors to help motivate the Zebras.

“Although the players are self-motivated, but as BFA we want to motivate them more, just like how we did against the Cape Verde,” he said.

Former Zebras defender, Ernest ‘Nanzi Indoda’ Amos, though he admits that monetary motivation could bring good results, he advised that it was important that they are announced early so that the camp is not destabilised by the late announcement.

“You know, some players will start planning as to what they will use the money for, and that alone could mean they may lose focus,” he said.

 Sunday Standard sport editor, Botlhale Koothopile, said the issue of incentives at the last hour of asking was not something new in Botswana sport.

“It is something the sport family has lamented about over the years.

It is both a curse and a blessing for our sport, a double edged sword,” he said.

Furthermore, he said it was a curse in the sense that players and or athletes have to psychologically overhype themselves before major games to earn the money.

This, he said may, in turn, lead to players overexerting themselves at the last minute and getting injured.

He added that it also puts unnecessary pressure on the athletes and the players.

Koothopile also said it is a blessing in that it could also motivate the players to give their all knowing they would be well remunerated.

“In this instance, they can compete fully, knowing they will be sacrificing themselves for something. It also comes across as an acknowledgement of their hard work, which can only compel others to work extra hard to make the team,” he said.

Furthermore, he said having tasted substantial incentives given out in their games against Cape Verde, he was of the view that the Zebras players would be more than willing to add a few more Pula’s to their bank accounts.

“Remember, Choppies promised improved incentives if they qualify and they will be eager to earn more. Going forward, I believe the powers that be should put in place permanent incentive packages for the Zebras when playing in major games,” he remarked.

 He said that would ensure there are no last minute incentives when the team is already edging towards the end. 

“Rather, players will be motivated from the onset to give their all. This will ensure consistency and increase competition for positions within the team,” he said. Ends