The Zebras’ 1-0 victory against visiting Cape Verde in the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 Qualifier match on Tuesday means the Botswana side is now back in contention to qualify for final showpiece.
The Obed Chilume Stadium in Francistown erupted into a frenzy of jubilation as Thabang Sesyinyi’s 52nd minute strike meant the local lads move up to second place behind the already qualified Egypt with just two matches to go. Egypt had earlier beaten Mauritania 1-0 away from home to seal qualification with matches against Botswana and Cape Verde yet to be played home and away respectively.
Cape Verde could neither beat Botswana in the match played last week in their backyard, meaning they would need to win their remaining matches to be in with a chance, depending on results elsewhere.
Botswana’s victory came on the backdrop of incentives promised by the BFA President Tariq Babitseng, Ottapathu Ramachandran of Choppies, as well as Nicholas Zachem of Zac Construction. The trio each pledged a win bonus of P5 000, P10 000 and P10 000 respectively, with each player and technical team member set to receive P25 000 each
Zebras next play Mauritania in November in Botswana, a match which could see them qualify for the finals in Morocco should they win on the day and Cape Verde lose to Egypt. Mauritania beat Botswana 1-0 away in the opener of the qualifying matches
