18 Aug 2026

Upgrading the National Stadium to Confederation of African Football (CAF) Category 3 status will save the Botswana Football Association (BFA) approximately P800,000 per match in unbudgeted travel, security and accommodation expenses. 

By eliminating the forced 400-kilometre trek to Francistown’s Obed Itani Chilume Stadium, a detour required when the capital city’s venue failed to meet CAF regulations, BFA can now redirect the funds directly to grassroots academies, long-term player pathways and financial support for local clubs competing on the continental stage.

With the facility upgrades complete, Gaborone will soon reclaim its hosting status as the National Stadium gates swing open to bring elite continental football back to the heart of the capital city. 

For years, hosting international fixtures meant embarking on that costly journey to the north. While visiting squads flew comfortably into Gaborone at their own expense, the financial burden of shuttling them across the country fell entirely on the BFA, a logistical marathon that bled the association dry with every single international match.

Speaking on the development, BFA president, Tariq Babitseng, welcomed the end to the geographic detour and also appreciated Francistown’s passionate crowds during the displacement.

“We are happy because that alone will reduce our expenditure,” Babitseng said.

The transformation of the National Stadium required meticulous and multi-faceted work. Refurbishment crews worked tirelessly to cultivate a pitch worthy of international competition, modernise media facilities for global broadcast standards and re-engineer stadium security protocols to protect families and athletes alike. 

Babitseng emphasised that the partnership across sport entities remained vital as the nation aimed for full and permanent CAF accreditation in the future.

On the other hand, while the provisional approval allows the BFA to immediately utilise the venue for official senior international matches and intercontinental club games, victory lies in where the savings go next. 

Every P800, 000 saved per match is money that no longer disappears into transport charters and extra hotel rooms. Instead, funds will be poured straight back into the essence of Botswana football to nurture young talent in grassroots academies and lift the financial weight off local clubs competing on the continental stage. ENDS