BFA caught up in venue dilemma

  • Reports indicate that Kazungula Fighters might be denied a chance to host the game in their own backyard
  • Francistown Sports Complex rumoured to be the neutral venue for the game

BONGANI MALUNGA

The Botswana Football Association has responded to various reports that Kazungula Fighters might be denied a chance to host their Orange FA Cup quarter-final tie against Township Rollers on their own turf. Reports suggest that the game might be staged at the Francistown Sports Complex, which is a neutral venue.

When the quarter-final draw was conducted, the tie had listed Kazungula Fighters as the home team in the tie and under normal circumstances that would have seen the team host the game at its venue but rumours started to circulate that they may not be afforded that opportunity. Kazungula Fighters had previously hosted the likes of White Diamonds and TAFIC at the Kasane Prisons Grounds in previous rounds.

This created an uproar, especially on social media as many stated that the lower league team would be denied a chance to host one of the team’s top countries on their own ground and that their community would be denied a chance to capitalise on the fixture.

Despite the constant reports, the BFA, through their Public Relations Officer Tumo Mpatane, announced that they are yet to confirm venues for the quarter-final ties. “We are aware of rumours that have been circulating but we want to distance ourselves from those reports because they are not valid. The reports were just social media speculation. We will announce the venues and the order of dates for the fixtures in due time, for now we cannot continue to comment on rumours,” Mpatane told Gazette Sport.

Many other teams in the competition have played their games at neutral venues such as the Molepolole Sports Complex throughout the competition.